With just nine months to go before the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, Europe’s football giants have officially begun their qualification campaigns this week.
European champions Spain and four-time world champions Germany are among the teams facing early tests as they prepare for the final tournament.
Spain Away to Bulgaria
In June, Spain fell short in the UEFA Nations League final, losing to Portugal in a penalty shootout. Now, they begin their World Cup qualifying journey in Group E with renewed determination.
Spain’s first match is an away clash with Bulgaria, followed by another tough trip to Turkey.
Head coach Luis de la Fuente remained cautious about the road ahead: “Qualifying is always a huge challenge. Even a strong nation like Italy has missed the last two World Cups. We must stay focused on the tasks ahead and take them step by step if we want to reach the finals.”
Spain, currently ranked second in the world behind Argentina, is seen as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. Their squad is filled with talent. Manchester City midfield anchor Rodri returns from a knee injury. At the same time, young stars Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams bring flair and creativity to the attack.
Germany Faces Slovakia
Germany also takes centre stage in Group A. Their first qualifier sees them travel to Slovakia before returning home to host Northern Ireland.
The German national team has struggled in recent years, failing to reach the semifinals of any major tournament since the 2016 European Championship. Nevertheless, their squad remains formidable.
New Premier League arrivals Florian Wirtz (Liverpool) and Nelson Weiper (Newcastle) have injected fresh energy. Ranked 9th in the world, Germany hopes this qualifying campaign will be the start of a long-awaited resurgence.
Other Key Matches
Meanwhile, Belgium travels to Liechtenstein in Group J. With their opponents on a three-game losing streak, Kevin De Bruyne’s side will be eager to secure a second victory and close the gap on group leaders North Macedonia and Wales.
In Group G, the Netherlands hosts Poland, looking to extend its winning streak to three matches. Poland welcomes back captain Robert Lewandowski, whose battle with Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk is expected to be one of the highlights of the game.
As Europe’s heavyweights return to the field, the intensity of the World Cup qualifiers is already clear.
For Spain, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, these matches are not only crucial for advancing but also for building momentum and confidence ahead of the World Cup itself.
