European qualification for the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded Tuesday with several dramatic results deciding who will compete in the tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, and Scotland were among the nations to secure their places, while others will now battle through a playoff system to reach the finals [[1]]. The results cap a competitive qualifying cycle and set the stage for next year’s global competition.
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<p>Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, and Scotland all secured their places at the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, capping off the European qualifying group stage with dramatic results. The expanded tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to welcome these European powerhouses as they begin preparations for the competition.</p><p>In Group E, Spain played to a 2-2 draw with Turkey in Seville, proving enough to claim the top spot. A win for Turkey would have required a staggering seven-goal margin to overtake Spain on goal difference.</p> <figure class="image body landscape">
<img class="lazy-loading" bad-src="data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D'http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg'%20viewBox%3D'0%200%203552%202368'%2F%3E" src="https://assets.orf.at/mims/2025/47/94/crops/w=800,q=90/2838332_body_1095794_ticker_spanien_r.jpg?s=8dd2259899e0f4a5637fbe6414c690a96b15fdb3" srcset="https://assets.orf.at/mims/2025/47/94/crops/w=800,q=70,r=1/2838332_body_1095794_ticker_spanien_r.jpg?s=f791cfd49c3cb952e9ee4e5a473a1b1308372b46 1x, https://assets.orf.at/mims/2025/47/94/crops/w=800,q=60,r=1.5/2838332_body_1095794_ticker_spanien_r.jpg?s=607980f61a0d2d0c8c2b1cb08a4fb0c34ac6ac5b 1.5x" alt="Dani Olmo und Fabian Ruiz"/>
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</footer>Wales Earns Playoff Spot Behind Belgium
Belgium dominated Liechtenstein with a resounding 7-0 victory in Group J, securing their qualification. Wales followed closely behind, claiming a playoff berth with a dominant 7-1 win over North Macedonia on home soil. This result gives Wales a chance to fight for a spot in the expanded 48-team tournament.
In Pool B, Switzerland secured qualification with a 1-1 draw against Kosovo, coached by former Austria national team manager Franco Foda. Kosovo also clinched a playoff position, finishing three points behind the Swiss. Sweden, meanwhile, ended their qualifying campaign winless after a 1-1 draw with Slovenia.
Scotland Snatch Late Victory Over Denmark
Scotland completed their successful qualifying campaign in Group C with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark, decided in stoppage time. Kieran Tierney scored in the 93rd minute, and Kenny McLean added another in the 98th minute to seal the win at a packed Hampden Park in Glasgow. Denmark, reduced to ten men after Rasmus Kristensen’s 61st-minute red card, will now head to the playoffs.
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