World Cup qualifiers: Qualification Dreams set to be Decided on Matchday 10
by Thobelani Moyo | by Cydias Aujard
Germany vs. Slovakia
- Date and Time: 17 November 2025, 20:45 (BST)
- Venue: Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany.
Four-time World Champions Germany head into the final matchday of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers needing a positive result against Slovakia to book their spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Die Mannschaft are at the top of the table in Group A with 12 points accumulated from five games and are ahead of their opponents in the upcoming encounter on goal difference.
Julian Nagelsmann's side secured a 2-0 away win over Luxembourg. Nick Woltemade was the savior as he bagged a brace to make it three goals and one assist in seven appearances for the senior national team.
Slovakia have shown that they are very much capable of matching any opponent in the qualifiers, and that was evident in their opening match against Germany.
The Falcons became the first team in the World Cup qualifying to hand Germany their first away defeat after 52 games. David Hancko and David Strelec were on target in that match to grant their team a comfortable 2-0 victory at Bratislava.
Francesco Calzona's men have already guaranteed themselves a top-two finish in Group A, and that's thanks to their recent 1-0 home victory against Northern Ireland. That was their fourth win in five games, and a convincing victory here could see them secure the automatic World Cup qualification spot.
Montenegro vs. Croatia
- Date and Time: 17 November 2025, 20:45 (BST)
- Venue: Podgorica City Stadium, Podgorica, Montenegro.
It has been confirmed that Montenegro can not finish higher than fourth place in Group L of the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers because of their -8 goal difference deficit.
Montenegro began the qualifying campaign on a positive note, securing two consecutive wins. However, a dark cloud hovered above them after those outcomes as they suffered four consecutive defeats before winning 2-1 against Gibraltar in their recent match.
In the last meeting with Croatia, Zlatko Dalic's men lost 4-0 on the road, and nothing much can be expected from them in this one. For more insights on this game, head over to our Montenegro vs Croatia prediction to find out what our betting experts have to say.
Croatia have conquered Group L with a six-point cushion and are guaranteed a ticket to the 2026 World Cup in North America. This is going to be their fourth consecutive appearance on the global stage.
The Checkered Ones made this possible by defeating Faroe Islands 3-1 at home, making it two wins on the bounce. Most importantly, that outcome was their sixth win in seven qualifying games.
Netherlands vs. Lithuania
- Date and Time: 17 November 2025, 20:45 (BST)
- Venue: Johan Cruyff Arena, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
To the casual observer, the Netherlands have secured automatic World Cup qualification. After seven games, the Oranje find themselves occupying the top spot in Group G with a three-point lead over second-placed Poland.
Even if they fail to come out on top and drop three points against Lithuania - something unlikely to happen - and Poland wins against Malta, they would still finish at the top thanks to their superior goal difference (+13).
Their recent qualifier match was against Poland, and it ended in a 1-1away draw. On the bright side, the result extended their unbeaten run in the competition to seven games.
Facing Lithuania should turn out to be an easy assignment, having won 3-2 at Kaunas in the first meeting between the two sides. Our betting experts are expecting another competitive match with goals at both ends of the pitch, as explained in our Netherlands vs Lithuania prediction now available.
Ranked 146th in the FIFA Rankings, picturing Lithuania getting the better of the Netherlands in this one is just unimaginable. Also, their performance alone in the FIFA World Cup European qualifiers has been unconvincing.
The Tricolours have yet to win a game in their last seven outings, recording four losses and three draws. This currently sees them anchored at the bottom of the table with three points to their name. Last time out, they lost 2-0 at home against Poland, marking their third consecutive defeat.
