The group stage of the European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 conclude on Tuesday evening when the final five sections play their last match as we determine the remainder of the automatic qualifiers for the North America showpiece.
We have three straight knockout matches on Tuesday evening as well as a couple of matches which technically have top spot at stake so the one thing we are pretty much guaranteed of is plenty of drama and lots of tension.
Group B
Switzerland are on the verge of qualifying for another World Cup and they make the trip to Kosovo looking to complete the formalities of sealing the deal. Kosovo can technically still pip the Swiss to top spot but they would need to win by six goals when the two teams meet. Sweden know that their Nations League exploits have secured a play-off spot for them and they will be looking to find some form heading into those matches when they welcome a Slovenia side for whom qualifying will be up once this match has finished.
Group C
There is a massive match in Group C as we have a winner takes all clash in Glasgow where Scotland and Denmark will do battle for an automatic spot at the World Cup. Scotland know they have to win the game to avoid the play-off spot while Denmark head to the Scottish city knowing that a draw sees them off to the finals. Belarus and Greece meet in the other game in the group with both teams knowing that they conclude their qualification process once the full time whistle goes in Zalaegerszeg.
Group E
It should be a victory lap for Spain in their final match in Group E on Tuesday night when they host Turkey. The only way Spain won’t be an automatic qualifier for the tournament is if Turkey can not only win but do it by seven clear goals which isn’t going to happen. The other match will be the end of the road for Bulgaria and Georgia when they face each other for pride and world rankings points knowing that qualification was ended for both a while back.
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Group H
The next of the straight winner takes all matches takes us to Vienna where Austria will be looking to complete their path to the finals when they host Bosnia and Herzegovina. Austria will just need to avoid defeat to make it through to the World Cup but were they to lose then it would be Bosnia and Herzegovina who progress leaving Austria to battle in the play-offs. Romania are also assured of a play-off spot because of their Nations League results and they will hope to head into them off the back of a win when they entertain the minnows of San Marino.
Group J
Belgium are in pole position in Group J and if they win their final group match at home to Liechtenstein, which should be a penalty kick for the Red Devils, then they will be through to the finals. Wales and North Macedonia are both assured of a play-off spot but whoever wins that match could host the semi-final so there is plenty on the line when the two sides go head-to-head in a Cardiff clash which feels like it will be extremely significant for the winner. North Macedonia will claim second spot with a win.
Betting
I like a couple of bets over the course of the night with the first one coming in the form of what I expect to be a convincing win for Romania when they host San Marino. San Marino have played a second match an international break three times in this group, all at home, and they have lost by four goals on each occasion. They now have to go on their travels after a 4-0 home loss to Cyprus on Saturday and you would think that would mean more goals will go in their net. Romania scored five in the reverse meeting and in their last four matches San Marino have conceded 24 goals. Romania aren’t playing for anything competitive here but they will be looking for a morale boost ahead of the play-offs. In a similar situation we saw Portugal thrash Armenia 9-1, Czechia beating Gibraltar 6-0 and Netherlands seeing off Lithuania 4-0 already in the second part of this international break and Romania can add to that sequence. The Asian handicap line is giving San Marino a 3.75 goal start but that might not be enough here.
The other bet I like is for North Macedonia to avoid defeat when they head to Cardiff to take on a Wales side who might just be beginning to flatter to deceive a little under Craig Bellamy. They get Harry Wilson back from suspension for this match but I’m not sure the 1-0 win in Liechtenstein was quite the success they were looking for ahead of this game. North Macedonia have only conceded three goals in this group so far and Belgium failed to beat them on both occasions while Wales have been to Skopje and needed a 96th minute equaliser in a match where they lost the xG battle 1.04-0.80. Kazakhstan scored in Cardiff earlier in the campaign and if North Macedonia follow suit, given their tight defence, the visitors could well protect their second placed spot in the group. At odds against, I’ll go against the Welsh win here.
Tips
Back Romania (-3.75AH) to beat San Marino for a 3/10 stake at 1.82 with William Hill
Back them here:
Back North Macedonia/Draw double chance for a 3/10 stake at 2.05 with Boylesports
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