Nine European Nations Still in the Race: Europe’s Final World Cup Qualifiers Set the Stage for a Nail-Biting Finish
Europe’s final qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup is poised to decide 9 direct berths while 20 nations chase playoff spots. England, France and Croatia have already sealed their places, with the rest battling in tightly poised groups. The drama intensifies as the playoff path remains wide open with a March showdown ahead. The host nations (Canada, Mexico, USA) loom in the backdrop as the continent’s fate hangs on goals and tiebreakers.