Belgium Clinches World Cup 2026 Spot as Scotland Stages a Nail-Biting Drama

Belgium clinches World Cup 2026 spot as drama unfolds across Europe

Belgium secured its place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a emphatic 7-0 victory over Liechtenstein on Tuesday in the final round of the European qualifiers.

The Belgians, who finished third at the 2018 tournament, advance to the finals in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the fourth straight time and the 15th time overall, finishing top of the group two points ahead of Wales, who clinched the playoff with a 7-1 win over North Macedonia.

Belgium finished the qualifying campaign unbeaten (8 wins, 3 draws) with 18 points; Wales ended second with 16, North Macedonia 13, Kazakhstan 8, while Liechtenstein collected none.

The result was sealed in the first half as Hans Vanaken hit a hat-trick, joined by Jérémy Doku with goals in the 34th and 41st minutes. Brandon Mechele then added in the 52nd, Alexis Salimackers in the 55th, and Charles De Ketelaere in the 57th and 59th, all within a seven-minute burst that left Liechtenstein in the dust.

In another match, a substitute’s late hit helped Austria reach the World Cup by salvaging a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday, in the final round of the European qualifiers.

Switzerland also secured a spot by drawing 1-1 with Kosovo, with Robin Vargas lighting the way for the Swiss and Kosovo’s Florentin Moslija replying later in the game.

Scotland returned to the World Cup finals for the first time since 1998, after a dramatic 4-2 win over Denmark on Tuesday, in the last round of European qualifiers for the 2026 tournament.

Scotland had looked on course for qualification through a three-goal lead that was narrowed by Denmark’s 82nd-minute equalizer, only for late strikes from substitutes Kieran Tierney (90+3) and Kenny McLean (90+9) to restore the advantage and seal the group on the home side’s terms.

Scotland had opened the scoring through Scott McTominay after three minutes, but Rasmus Hojlund equalized from the spot in the 57th minute before Denmark saw a second yellow card that allowed Scotland to push again, with Oranus Shakeland’s 78th-minute strike extending the lead.

At the same time, Spain climbed into the World Cup by drawing 2-2 with Turkey at the Carduja stadium in Seville, sending the visitors into the playoff route.

Spain’s goals came from Dani Olmo and Mikel Oyarzabal in the 4th and 62nd minutes, while Deniz Gul and Salih Ozcan replied for Turkey in the 42nd and 54th minutes respectively.

That draw left Spain on 16 points at the top of Group 5 to book their place, while Turkey moved to 13 and into the playoff spots.

With that result, Spain joined the European champions and Belgium, Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland in the World Cup 2026 fold, as the group winners wrapped up their campaigns. In addition, seven more European teams joined via qualification or playoff standings, with four additional berths still up for grabs through playoff routes in Europe.

In contrast, 12 runners-up in the groups entered the playoff stage to chase the remaining spots, including Slovakia, Kosovo, Denmark, Ukraine, Turkey, the Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales, Albania, the Czech Republic, and Italy, the four-time champions of the continent.

Additionally, four of the top Nations League groups’ leaders who finished outside the top two in their groups also qualified for the playoff route, namely Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, and Ireland.

So, while Spain, Belgium, Scotland, Austria, and Switzerland booked direct entries, the playoff battles promised more twists as nations chased the remaining tickets to the 2026 World Cup in North America. Brace yourselves—the road to the global stage is far from over, and the drama isn’t done yet.

Punchline time: If Belgium’s finishing were any sharper, their goals would have filed for a mortgage. Punchline two: Scotland’s late winners were so dramatic that even the couch nearby filed a complaint for emotional distress.