#world-cup-qualification

#world-cup-qualification

John O'Shea says Ireland cannot afford a repeat of last month's disastrous defeat in Armenia if they are to keep their faint World Cup qualification hopes alive.

"Last season was tough for me, to the point where I thought about stopping. I didn't want to do it. I had had enough of being so professional and trying to do everything right in my power, to then keep breaking down and not having the answers. It was a very difficult place to be in."

Since the United Nations commission of inquiry formally declared Israel has committed genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, there have been growing calls for the country to be suspended from international football competitions. Israel's national team is currently participating in European qualifiers for next summer's men's Fifa World Cup, while Israeli club Maccabi Tel Aviv is playing in the Europa League.

Erling Haaland scored five goals in a huge 11-1 win for Norway against Moldova in World Cup qualification. The Manchester City striker is his country's leading all-time goalscorer and took his tally to 48 in 45 caps with his impressive haul. Martin Odegaard of Arsenal was also on target while Thelo Aasgard of Rangers came on after 64 minutes and still scored four times.

Nigeria's automatic World Cup qualification chances took another blow after a 1-1 draw against group leaders South Africa. The Super Eagles have drawn five of their eight matches and have only beaten Rwanda - and are in danger of missing out on even a play-off place. They last played in the World Cup in Russia in 2018. South Africa, on the other hand, are well placed to reach their first finals since they were hosts in 2010.

Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane has scored in added time to give Tunisia a 1-0 win in Equatorial Guinea and qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America. The away victory on Monday night gave Tunisia an unassailable lead in Group H, and they became the second African nation to secure a place at the tournament after 2022 semifinalists Morocco.

Cristiano Ronaldo's quest to play in a record sixth World Cup began in typical fashion with two goals as Portugal made a winning start to its qualifying campaign by routing Armenia 5-0. Ronaldo's goals extended his record as the highest scorer in men's international football to 140 and underlined his enduring motivation to keep setting more benchmarks before his storied career comes to an end.

While other groups in the UEFA World Cup qualification process are already underway, Group D is only just kicking off due to France's presence in the latter stages of the Nations League earlier in the year they lost to Spain in the semi-final but beat Germany in the third-place play-off. France, who were runners-up in the last World Cup, are the heavy favourites to eventually top Group D, which also features Iceland and Azerbaijan. Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Hugo Ekitike all feature in France's squad for the game. Read on for all the information on how to watch France vs Ukraine online, on TV and from anywhere.

There will be plenty of time for Wales to dissect a difficult night in Astana when they make their eight-hour flight home from Kazakhstan. But when the ultimate destination is USA, Canada and Mexico next summer, the analysis was easy for former captain Ashley Williams. As he put it: "For games like this all that matters is that you get the three points, get on the plane, get home."

This is the first working camp without Diogo Jota, We know what Diogo meant to each of us, the impact he had on our lives. We want to honour his memory every day. He will be with us and be another force in achieving our goals. Diogo Jota's example is a light for us. We will carry his spirit in our hearts. We will win for Diogo, for his brother Andre, and as always, for all Portuguese people.

Marc Brys has denied he has quit as coach of Cameroon, stating that his email was likely hacked and his alleged resignation letter did not originate from him.