#2026-world-cup-qualifying

#2026-world-cup-qualifying

Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, are unbeaten in five matches and have started qualifying in ruthless fashion, thrashing Armenia 5-0 before beating Hungary 3-2 in early September. Meanwhile, Ireland, under the management of Heimir Hallgrimsson, are winless in four and have so far picked up just one point in Group F following a 2-2 draw with Hungary and 2-1 defeat to Armenia.

The defeat means Sweden are at the bottom of Group B on one point from three games, while Switzerland edged closer to automatic qualification on nine points and Kosovo sit in second with four. Switzerland were more dominant in the first half but had to wait until the 65th minute to open the scoring, with Granit Xhaka firing in from the penalty spot after Djibril Sow was fouled by Alexander Bernhardsson.

Good evening and welcome to another Irish Independent live blog as Armenia host the Republic of Ireland in only the second Group F fixture of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. My name is Ultán Corcoran, and I will be keeping you updated as the action unfolds on the pitch. The Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium is the venue this evening as the Boys in Green travel to the Armenian capital of Yerevan.

Scotland managed to hold group favourites Denmark to a 0-0 draw in the opening game of 2026 World Cup qualifying and will be looking to make a statement of intent against Belarus. They failed to score against Denmark, but limited their opponents to just two shots on target in Copenhagen. Belarus will be looking to get their first points on the board after a humbling 4-0 defeat at the hands of Greece on matchday one,

We really missed him in the final stages. Generally, we are improving our team step by step. We have a very hard-working group. We've analysed 15 videos in the last three days. The players work tirelessly... they're incredibly hardworking and do whatever it takes on the pitch. Playing against Spain is an additional incentive for us, against the European champions at home.

Argentina and Lionel Messi will be hoping for another routine victory against Venezuela (Image credit: Getty Images) Watch Argentina vs Venezuela today as the South American sides face off in CONMEBOL qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Argentina have already booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and currently leads the way in CONMEBOL qualifying. Lionel Scaloni's side will finish top of the pile,

Such is the nature of the international football calendar that when Northern Ireland begin their efforts to make it to the 2026 World Cup against Luxembourg on Thursday it will be their first qualifying game in almost two years. A 2-0 win over Denmark at Windsor Park in October 2023 was the last time Michael O'Neill's side faced such a fixture with their success over the Euro 2024-bound side proving to be something of an outlier in recent times.