The second half of the European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 get underway for this international break on Sunday and as we move into the latter stages of the qualifying competition each match day carries extra significance.
We have four groups in action on Sunday with three points keenly sought after for some big nations such as the former finalists Netherlands and Croatia while the likes of Denmark and Czechia continue their campaign too.
Group C
Denmark and Scotland are locked together on seven points going into the second half of the group and both have home matches on Sunday where if they win they will be assured of a playoff spot at the very least. Scotland will be the first in action and they host a Belarus side who have been competitive but still don’t have a point to their name. A Scotland win will pile the pressure on Denmark who have much the tougher game when they entertain a Greece side who have the potential to be dangerous on their day.
Group G
We have a tasty three horse race for the qualifying spot and the playoff place in Group G and it is the Netherlands who predictably lead the race. They will be looking to remain in control of their own destiny when they play host to Finland in the earlier kick off. A Dutch win there will secure a playoff spot and put them three points away from automatic qualification. That qualification could then be secured later in the evening when Poland travel to Lithuania. If the Dutch have won then anything a Lithuania win would secure things for the Netherlands.
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Group H
We also have action from Group H of the qualifying event on Sunday where things are all about Austria as they look to back up their 10-0 thrashing of San Marino in the previous round of games when they make the trip to Bucharest to take on a Romania side who really have to win that game if they are going to keep their hopes of finishing second alive. Cyprus are playing purely for ranking position but there is every chance they will end the day in third place in the group if they can pick up what should be a formality of a win away to San Marino.
Group L
Two big sides have pulled away from the rest in Group L and they will be looking for the win which could separate them from the other. Czechia are the first of those in action. They travel to a confident looking Faroe Islands for what is much the tougher of the two matches. A Czechia win will send them top of the group but you would imagine that status will be short lived because Croatia will then look to respond later in the evening when they have much the easier assignment when they play host to a Gibraltar side who have shipped 17 goals in their five matches to date.
Betting
This isn’t the most inspiring card in the world but there is a bet that I like in it. That comes in the form of the goals in the match between Romania and Austria. If Romania want to make the playoffs without relying on their Nations League ranking then this is a match that they have to win and they might need to take some risks to do it. They have that luxury available to them because they are a strong chance to progress to the playoffs through the Nations League so they can give this a good go.
We don’t need to worry about the scoring credentials of Austria. They have just put 10 past San Marino and while this will obviously be a tougher assignment there are definitely goals in this Austria side and they too will be keen to come away from this one with the win and move closer to getting their qualification confirmed as soon as possible. Austria games can be open when the opponent goes after them and with the reverse fixture having over 2.5 goals, I like the same outcome here.
Tips
Back Romania vs Austria – Over 2.5 goals for a 3/10 stake at 1.91 with Betway
