World Cup Qualification UEFA news

A typically insatiable Harry Kane fired England to the 2026 World Cup as the captain scored twice in the 5-0 hammering of Latvia which extended the Three Lions' 100 percent record in qualifying. Kane, who had missed Thursday's friendly win over Wales with an ankle injury, returned to set a new England record by scoring more than once for the 13th time in international football to move on to 76 goals for his country.

Cristiano Ronaldo has broken yet another record as the Portuguese legend made World Cup qualifying history with a first-half brace in a 2-2 draw with Hungary on Tuesday. Attila Szalai gave Hungary an early lead in the eighth minute of their match but Ronaldo brought his side back in the game with an equaliser in the 22nd minute before handing the Selecao the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Viktor Gyokeres has discussed his recent blanks for Sweden following their dismal World Cup qualifying loss against Kosovo on Monday. The defeat led to the sacking of manager Jon Dahl Tomasson as the Swedes are virtually out of contention to qualify for the tournament in North America next summer. This was Sweden's second consecutive home loss during the October international window.

Alexander Isak was left “so f*cking dissatisfied” after seeing Sweden booed by their own supporters during another abject display in World Cup qualifying. Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side appear destined to miss out on next summer’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Liverpool striker Isak admitting that their recent performances have been “embarrassing”.

Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyokeres have come in for scrutiny after Sweden slumped to an embarrassing World Cup qualifying defeat. In a night that will haunt them for years, the once-proud Scandinavian giants crashed to a shocking 1-0 defeat to Kosovo in Gothenburg, leaving their qualifying hopes in tatters. It’s a defeat that leaves them bottom of their qualifying group with a single miserable point from four games. Two goals scored. Seven conceded. And a nation furious.

Jude Bellingham has been likened to Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard, with Danny Murphy saying in an exclusive chat with GOAL that any concerns regarding the Real Madrid superstar’s character are “nonsense”. Bellingham has faced a few uncomfortable questions on the back of being left out of the latest England squad, with Thomas Tuchel talking up the need for harmony in his ranks.

Luis de la Fuente has hit back at Barcelona’s criticism over Spain’s handling of Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres after all three players suffered setbacks on international duty. The Spain boss insisted his staff always prioritise players’ health and urged critics not to “make a big deal” out of routine injuries.

France were held to a frustrating 2-2 draw against Iceland in what turned out to be a trickier World Cup qualifying away trip than many expected it to be. Following the game, head coach Didier Deschamps explained his unhappiness with the officiating, claiming that midfielder Manu Kone was fouled in the build up to the hosts' opening goal in the first half.

Nico Schlotterbeck has hailed his German national team-mate and fellow centre-back Jonathan Tah as a "better defender" than him and explained why the duo make such a good pairing for Julian Nagelsmann's side. Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping tabs on Schlotterbeck's situation at Borussia Dortmund, where his contract expires in 2027, and could move to unite the pair at club level.

Julian Nagelsmann has grown frustrated by ongoing talk of a potential return to the Germany team for Manuel Neuer, insisting the national team's goalkeeping situation remains strong despite Marc-Andre ter Stegen’s uncertain future. As injuries and form concerns continue to test Germany’s depth, the coach has called for stability ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Marcus Rashford has been warned by England manager Thomas Tuchel that, despite all that he has achieved, his undoubted talent could still go to waste. Manchester United academy graduate Rashford is, at 27 years of age, in the process of rebuilding his career. Having been deemed surplus to requirements at Old Trafford and overlooked by the Three Lions on a regular basis, the jet-heeled forward is now enjoying a loan spell at Barcelona.

Of all the England players who were left out of Thomas Tuchel's squad for their October fixtures, Jude Bellingham's omission seemed the most confusing. The midfielder has been one of the Three Lions' main protagonists ever since breaking into the starting XI post-Euro 2020 heartbreak and has long been heralded as a key player for whichever team he's representing.

GOAL US unpacks the main storylines from the international break and World Cup qualifying in The Euro XI

Nick Woltemade got the job done for Germany with a set-piece winner in the first half as the four-time world champions edged out Northern Ireland 1-0 to retain their position at the top of Group A in Europe's World Cup qualifying. The Germans lacked overall quality, as they had only four shots on target in the game and needed more creativity in the midfield.

Didier Deschamps' men were held to a 2-2 draw by a brave Iceland side in Reykjavik, as an experimental XI floundered under the pressure of their bold opponents, who belied their pre-match underdogs tag. France did score twice, coming from behind in the process, but a lack of concentration allowed the hosts to take a well-deserved point from a breathless encounter.

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has been forced to clarify comments made about Northern Ireland's style of play. While apologising for any offence caused, Nagelsmann has issued a stark warning to his team about the dangers of their "tough" opponents heading into a crucial World Cup qualifier, with both teams level on points at the top of their group.

England have been dealt a fresh blow to their attacking plans, with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins forced to withdraw from Thomas Tuchel’s squad after suffering a freak injury. The Three Lions were without all-time leading goal-scorer Harry Kane for a friendly date with Wales, as he nurses a knock of his own, with a selection headache being posed ahead of a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia.