World Cup Qualification UEFA news

All you need to know about the England national team's qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup.

Perfection and the England men's national team never were natural bedfellows, but Thomas Tuchel has changed the narrative around the Three Lions by propelling them to a literally flawless World Cup qualifying campaign. England completed their perfect run of results by rounding off their journey to North America in 2026 with a 2-0 victory away in Albania, an eighth successive win without conceding a goal.

Harry Kane made the difference yet again with two late goals as England beat Albania 2-0 in their final World Cup qualifier and made history in the process. The captain broke the deadlock from close range in the 74th minute then netted a header eight minutes later to ensure Thomas Tuchel's side became the first European team to win every game in a World Cup qualification campaign without conceding a goal.

A Kylian Mbappe-less France secured a comeback, 3-1 win over a plucky Azerbaijan to end their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high. Didier Deschamps made 11 changes from the team that thumped Ukraine 4-0 in midweek, and early on they appeared to miss their biggest stars.

Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves hat-tricks helped a Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal qualify for the 2026 World Cup with an emphatic 9-1 win over Armenia on Sunday. The Seleccao were without their iconic forward following his red card against Ireland, but virtuoso displays from Fernandes and Neves ensured they topped UEFA Group F thanks to a thumping victory.

Cristiano Ronaldo has sent a message of support to his Portugal team-mates ahead of their meeting with Armenia. The Selecao currently top Group F ahead of the final round of World Cup qualification games but defeat to Ireland on Thursday means they need to win to book their trip stateside next summer. And ahead of the game, Ronaldo took to Instagram to throw his backing behind the national team.

Norway striker Erling Haaland has admitted there is a lot on his shoulders as he looks to fire his national side to their first men's World Cup since 1998. The Scandinavian nation are on the cusp of securing their spot at the 2026 showpiece having breezed through qualification, winning all seven matches ahead of their trip to Milan to face second-placed Italy on Sunday evening.

England captain Harry Kane has revealed that an 'NFL-like playbook' will help the Three Lions set-piece their way to the World Cup in North America next year. England have maximised dead ball situations to great effect in qualifying having scored five goals from set pieces and a further two from the penalty spot as they booked their flight across the pond with ease.

Thomas Tuchel has warned his England players to avoid a Cristiano Ronaldo situation and receive their marching orders against Albania on Sunday. Ronaldo was sent off in Portugal's 2-0 loss to Ireland earlier this week and will miss their final World Cup qualifying meeting with Armenia. The Al-Nassr forward will also sit out Portugal's World Cup opener should they make the 2026 showpiece.

Albania manager Sylvinho heaped praise on Thomas Tuchel's England as the Three Lions near a perfect World Cup qualifying record. Having already booked their berth in the flagship competition next year, the Three Lions are now aiming to maintain their 100 per cent win record in the qualifying rounds. England will meet Albania in their last group game on Sunday in Tirana.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been sent home by Portugal following his red card against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday. Ronaldo received his marching orders on the hour mark, his first dismissal of his international career, having elbowed Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, as the Selecao crashed to a surprise 2-0 defeat at the Aviva Stadium. Portugal remain top of World Cup qualifying Group F despite the loss.

European champions Spain have all-but qualified for next summer's World Cup after crushing Georgia 4-0 on Saturday evening. Two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and strikes from Martin Zubimendi and Ferran Torres saw Luis de la Fuente's side maintain their 100 per cent record in Group E, on an evening when second-placed Turkey also defeated Bulgaria 2-0.

A touching post-match moment inside the Wembley dressing room showed Manchester City star John Stones presenting team-mate Nico O’Reilly with his first England cap, delivering a heartfelt speech in the aftermath of the 20-year-old's dream debut. The exchange came after England’s 2-0 win over Serbia, with cameras capturing O’Reilly’s pride as team-mates applauded the milestone.

Video footage has shown that Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo probably deserved to collect the first red card of his international career after swinging an elbow in the direction of Ireland defender Dara O’Shea during a 2026 World Cup qualifier in Dublin. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was also caught on camera goading rival players and fans with a ‘crying’ gesture.

After registering the 400th goal of his remarkable career, Kylian Mbappe is ready to aim for "the unreal". The Real Madrid superstar is among those watching on from afar as Portuguese GOAT Cristiano Ronaldo closes in on 1,000 career goals. That milestone feels a long way off for Mbappe, but the France international is prepared to set the most ambitious of targets.

England moved within touching distance of unprecedented World Cup qualifying history after a composed 2-0 victory over Serbia at Wembley maintained their flawless defensive record. With Thomas Tuchel's side yet to concede in the campaign, a clean sheet against Albania would make them the first European nation ever to complete an eight-game qualifying cycle without letting in a single goal.

Erling Haaland celebrated firing Norway to the brink of 2026 World Cup qualification by making a huge order of cheeseburgers. During the injury-enforced absence of Martin Odegaard, Manchester City striker Haaland is currently captain of his country. One of his responsibilities in that role is ensuring that jubilant team-mates get to dine out on notable performances.