The race to the 2026 World Cup is heating up, and some European powerhouses are already pulling away from the pack. But here's where it gets controversial: are Spain, Portugal, and Norway truly the teams to beat, or are they just benefiting from favorable matchups? Let's dive into the latest qualifiers and see who's shining, who's struggling, and who's sparking debate.
Spain, Portugal, and Norway continued their flawless runs in the European Qualifiers, inching closer to securing their spots in the 2026 World Cup. Spain's 2-0 victory over Georgia showcased their dominance, with Yeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal delivering the goods. Pino's composed finish and Oyarzabal's thunderous free-kick highlighted Spain's attacking prowess, though Georgia's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili kept the score respectable with a crucial penalty save. But is Spain's success a testament to their skill, or are they simply outclassing weaker opponents?
Portugal, meanwhile, needed a last-gasp goal from Rúben Neves to edge past a stubborn Republic of Ireland. Cristiano Ronaldo's missed penalty seemed to doom the hosts, but Neves' 91st-minute header saved the day. Does this narrow win expose cracks in Portugal's armor, or is it a sign of their resilience?
Norway, led by the unstoppable Erling Haaland, thrashed Israel 5-0, with Haaland bagging his sixth international hat-trick. His 12 goals in six games make him the qualifiers' top scorer, but is Norway's reliance on Haaland a strength or a vulnerability?
Elsewhere, France extended their lead in Group D thanks to Kylian Mbappé's brilliance, while Switzerland matched their feat with a win over Sweden. Germany dominated Luxembourg 4-0, with Joshua Kimmich scoring twice, and Scotland staged a thrilling comeback to beat Greece 3-1, keeping pace with Group C leaders Denmark.
And this is the part most people miss: smaller teams like the Faroe Islands made history with a 4-0 win over Montenegro, their biggest competitive victory ever. Austria's 10-0 demolition of San Marino saw Marko Arnautović become their all-time top scorer, while Belgium were held to a surprising 0-0 draw by North Macedonia.
As the qualifiers progress, questions linger. Are the traditional powerhouses truly unstoppable, or are they just one upset away from stumbling? And what does this mean for the underdogs who are defying expectations? The road to 2026 is far from over, and every match brings new drama, surprises, and debates. What do you think? Are the favorites overrated, or are they rightfully leading the charge? Let the discussion begin!
