2026 World Cup Qualifiers - The Fight for Qualification Across Europe Continues on Matchday 7
by Thobelani Moyo | by Thobelani Moyo
Brief Overview
The stakes couldn't be higher than this as different nations from across Europe battle it out for a ticket to feature in next year's World Cup that will be held in North America. Few can make the cut, while for some marks, the end of their journey and dreams.
As a reminder, the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers have about 54 teams competing this year. Initially, the number of teams in this competition was supposed to be 55, including suspended Russia.
About 12 groups are featuring four or five teams. 12 nations that finish as group winners get to secure automatic qualification, while the remaining 12 that finished in second place in their groups enter the play-off rounds. In the play-off rounds, only four nations can qualify for the World Cup.
What this simply means is that only 16 nations from Europe can earn their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, while 38 miss out. Who's getting left behind, and who's making it through!
Czechia vs. Croatia
- Date and Time: 09 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czechia.
One of the favorites to finish in second place in Group L of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, Czechia has its sights on the ultimate prize, and that's clinching the top spot - a direct qualification for the World Cup. The National Team has won four of its last five qualifying games (L1). That sole defeat came at the hands of Croatia, suffering a 5-1 defeat. Despite this, they find themselves in second place and locked on 12 points with league leaders Croatia.
Having lost against Croatia on matchday four of the qualifiers, our SportyTrader betting experts are predicting yet another defeat for Czechia. Check out our Czechia vs Croatia prediction for insights and analysis.
Croatia has a game in hand, which means they still have the opportunity to extend their lead at the top by three points. It has been an impressive start to the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers campaign for the Checkered Ones, who have won four consecutive matches.
Scotland vs. Greece
- Date and Time: 09 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland.
Scotland has made a promising start to the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. Locked on 4 points with league leaders Denmark in Group C, they currently occupy second place in the table. Their opening match against Denmark resulted in a share of the spoils, and the second attempt proved to be a charm as they snatched three points against the lowest-ranked team in the group, Belarus.
The Tartan Army face Greece next in a match that promises to be closely contested. There has been nothing much to separate these two sides in the previous four meetings, leaving them tied at two wins apiece. Are we in for another cagey affair? See our Scotland vs Greece prediction for more insights and analysis.
Greece is right behind Scotland in third place with a one-point deficit. Ethniki began the qualifying campaign on a dominant note, thrashing Belarus 5-1 at home. Building on that result was a monumental task as they were left undone in a 3-0 away defeat against Denmark. Spoiler alert: That was their first defeat after winning four straight matches.
Malta vs. Netherlands
- Date and Time: 09 October 2025, 20:45
- Venue: Ta' Qali National Stadium, Attard, Malta.
Malta, ranked 166th in the world, is the lowest-ranked team in Group G of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers. Truth be told, it has been an underwhelming start to the qualifying campaign as they sit at the bottom of the table with two points to their name. They've lost three of their last five matches, including a much-needed recent 1-1 draw against Lithuania.
The Reds' possible route to reach the World Cup finals is through the play-offs, and that's securing the second spot. However, it's already an unattainable feat considering they are hindered by an eight-point deficit, making qualification next to impossible.
Netherlands has played one game fewer than Malta, meaning there's still a possibility for them to cement their position in Group G. In fact, Ronald Koeman's charges are the favorites to win this group and secure direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup. At the moment, they are level on 10 points, with second-placed Poland the only team that has managed to snatch a point from them.
The Oranje beat Lithuania 3-2 away from home in their recent qualifier clash. With confidence high, they'll be out to build on that result and make it two wins on the bounce in this tournament. For a side ranked 6th in the world, this will be a walk in the park against a side they've dominated, winning seven consecutive matches. Even our experts are in line with the Netherlands scoring three points here. See what they have to say in our Malta vs Netherlands prediction.
Other matchday 7 fixtures to watch out for
- Finland vs Lithuania
- Austria vs San Marino
- Bealrus vs Denmark
- Cyprus vs Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Faroe Islands vs Montenegro
