2026 World Cup qualifiers: Shocking leaders so far
Norwegian national football team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers (photo: instagram.com/herrelandslaget)
In the European section of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, all matches of the September window have been completed. After five days of play, the interim group leaders and the main contenders for World Cup spots have been determined. Here are the standings in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
England moved closer to securing a 2026 World Cup spot
Following the September cycle, England became the only team that has come seriously close to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Under their coach's leadership, the team won all five qualifying matches and is seven points ahead of its nearest pursuer, Albania.
Experts note that if England wins in the October window, the team will be guaranteed a spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Impressive results for Norway and other leaders
Norway also had a perfect start to the qualifiers, collecting 15 points after five matches.
In their latest game, the Norwegians crushed Moldova 11:1. Italy sits second in the group with nine points but still has one game in hand.
Among other notable performers are Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and France, who also claimed two wins in their September matches.
The French managed to beat Ukraine, which currently sits in third place in Group D with one point, behind Iceland.
Qualifying sensation: Slovakia ahead of Germany
The most surprising outcome of the September window was Slovakia's leadership in Group A, which also includes Germany. Slovakia won both of its opening matches and leads with six points, while Germany and Northern Ireland have three points each.
Standings after September
Group A: 1. Slovakia – 6, 2. Northern Ireland – 3, 3. Germany – 3, 4. Luxembourg – 0
Group B: 1. Switzerland – 6, 2. Kosovo – 3, 3. Sweden – 1, 4. Slovenia – 1
Group C: 1. Denmark – 4, 2. Scotland – 4, 3. Greece – 3, 4. Belarus – 0
Group D: 1. France – 6, 2. Iceland – 3, 3. Ukraine – 1, 4. Azerbaijan – 1
Group E: 1. Spain – 6, 2. Georgia – 3, 3. Turkey – 3, 4. Bulgaria – 0
Group F: 1. Portugal – 6, 2. Armenia – 3, 3. Hungary – 1, 4. Ireland – 1
Group G: 1. Netherlands – 10, 2. Poland – 10, 3. Finland – 7, 4. Lithuania – 3, 5. Malta – 2
Group H: 1. Bosnia and Herzegovina – 12, 2. Austria – 12, 3. Romania – 7, 4. Cyprus – 4, 5. San Marino – 0
Group I: 1. Norway – 15, 2. Italy – 9, 3. Israel – 9, 4. Estonia – 3, 5. Moldova – 0
Group J: 1. North Macedonia – 11, 2. Belgium – 10, 3. Wales – 10, 4. Kazakhstan – 3, 5. Liechtenstein – 0
Group K: 1. England – 15, 2. Albania – 8, 3. Serbia – 7, 4. Latvia – 4, 5. Andorra – 0
Group L: 1. Croatia – 12, 2. Czech Republic – 12, 3. Faroe Islands – 6, 4. Montenegro – 6, 5. Gibraltar – 0
Earlier, we reported that Oleksandr Usyk will play for the World XI alongside John Terry, Kaka, and others.
