2026 World Cup European Qualifiers - The Curtain Comes Down on Matchday 7 Fixtures
Estonia vs Italy
- Date and Time: 11 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Lillekula Stadium, Tallinn, Estonia.
Jurgen Henn's Estonia have struggled for favorable results in the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. Located in Group I, the team is second-to-last with three points to their name. Their last five matches have produced four losses and one win. That victory came against bottom-dwellers Moldova, triumphing 3-2 away from home.
The Blueshirts' struggles have been well-reported, and it's partly due to the lack of creativity in the final third. Their five goals in the group are the second-worst, with Moldova taking up first place. This has been evident in their last three matches across all competitions, failing to find the net in any of those outings, including a goalless draw against Andorra in a friendly clash.
Italy are trailing the leaders, Norway, in Group I by six points. However, Gennaro Gattuso's men remain calm, considering they have a game in hand and could narrow that point gap to just three points. In fact, if they are to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014, they need not drop points in their remaining qualifiers. That starts with seeing off the threat of Estonia? Check out our Estonia vs Italy prediction for more details.
The Blues are in second place and are locked on points with third-placed Israel. It was a poor start to the qualifiers, with the nation suffering a 3-0 away defeat against Norway. Their response after that setback was a three-match winning streak, including a gritty 5-4 away victory against Israel, a result that marked Gennaro Gattuso's second consecutive win as Italy head coach. Among those victories was a 5-0 home thrashing of Estonia.
Portugal vs. Ireland
- Date and Time: 11 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal.
Portugal, led by the charismatic Cristiano Ronaldo, who recently made headlines once again for becoming the first footballer with an estimated net worth of $1.4bn, will aim to help his nation qualify for their seventh consecutive World Cup finals.
Selecao das Quinas have made a blistering start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. Roberto Martinez's men asserted their dominance with a 5-0 thrashing of Armenia before being made to fight hard for three points in a 3-2 away victory against Hungary.
This sees them leading at the top in Group F with a three-point cushion. Can they further cement their position at the top, or will Ireland disrupt their plans? Check out what our experts have to say in our Portugal vs Ireland prediction.
Ireland have made three appearances in the World Cup. However, the last time they graced the grandest stage with their presence was in 2002.
It seems that reaching the 2026 World Cup will be a mountainous task, given their poor start to the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. Winless in their last two games, they find themselves at the bottom of the table and are level on points (1pt) with third-placed Hungary, who have yet to secure a win.
The Boys in Green passed up on the opportunity to register their first win in the qualifiers. Their opponents were Armenia, and they lost 2-1 away from home. Another defeat here could severely hurt their chances of a first World Cup appearance since 2002.
Spain vs. Georgia
- Date and Time: 11 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain.
The 2010 World Cup winners, Spain, are favorites to win Group E. There's no second-guessing their capabilities of achieving such a feat, as they maintain a three-point cushion at the top with six points accumulated across two games.
After a heartbreak in the UEFA Nations League final that saw them relinquish their title after a 5-3 defeat on penalties against Portugal. Luis de la Fuente's men had three months to prepare for their first FIFA World Cup European qualifiers and restore their confidence.
La Roja did not fail to impress as they began their qualifying campaign with a 3-0 away win against Bulgaria. On matchday six, they had a point to prove, and they did just that in a 6-0 humiliation of Turkey. Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino was the standout player with a superb hat-trick.
Georgia are following Spain's lead in Group E of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. They are level on three points with third-placed Turkey, but due to a superior goal difference, they sit where they are now.
Willy Sagnol's men had a tough opening to their qualifying campaign. In front of their home crowd, they suffered a 3-2 defeat against Turkey. A response was needed after that setback, and their victims were Bulgaria, whom they defeated 3-0 at home.
The Crusaders are faced with a stern test in their bid to make it two wins on the bounce. Their performance in this fixture has left much to be desired, considering they've lost seven competitive matches against Spain. Will they be able to put an end to this unfavorable streak? Check out our detailed Spain vs Georgia prediction.
Other matchday 7 fixtures to watch out for
- Latvia vs Andorra
- Hungary vs Armenia
- Norway vs Israel
- Bulgaria vs Turkey
- Serbia vs Albania
