The focus will undoubtedly be on Italy, who would need to beat Norway by nine goals or more at the San Siro to secure qualification. It doesn’t seem likely that that will happen…
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🇳🇴 Norway leads Group I
Haaland’s Norway leads Group I with 21 points and an immaculate goal difference of +29, with 33 goals scored and only 4 conceded.
Italy has 18 points and a goal difference of +12. Their 3-0 defeat to the Norwegians in the opening match means the Azzurri must win with a historic rout in Milan to qualify directly for the World Cup.
Any other result sends Gennaro Gattuso’s team to the playoffs, a scenario that even the coach himself sees as more than likely.
Italy will play without Calafiori and Tonali, last-minute absences, but will have the support of a packed San Siro, with 60,000 tickets sold. On the other hand, Norway is in great shape and has the best attack in the Qualifiers. Erling Haaland, with 14 goals, is the star player.
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🤔 What does each team need to secure their place?
group me
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Norway – Secures place with a win, a draw or even losing by up to eight goals against Italy.
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Italy – Needs a miracle: win by nine goals or more.
Group F
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Portugal – Qualifies directly if they beat Armenia. They can also pass with a draw, as long as Hungary does not win by three goals or more. In case of defeat, they still have a chance if Hungary vs. Ireland ends in a draw or with an Irish victory (better goal difference).
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Hungary – Needs to beat Ireland and hope for a defeat from Portugal. If Portugal draws, Hungary advances with a victory by three goals or more.
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Ireland – Need to beat Hungary and hope for a defeat by Portugal (goal difference tiebreaker).
🙏 Who dreams of the playoffs?
In Group D, France is already classified. The playoff spot will be disputed by Ukraine and Iceland, who face each other in Poland. A draw is enough for Iceland, due to their better goal difference.
In Group K, everything is decided: England secures a direct place and Albania, led by Sylvinho, goes to the playoffs.
📊 These are the groups that play today
Group D
France – 13 points
Iceland – 7 points (+4)
Ukraine – 7 points (-3)
Azerbaijan – 1 point
Group F
Portugal – 10 points
Hungary – 8 points
Ireland – 7 points
Armenia – 3 points
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group me
Norway – 21 points
Italy – 18 points
Israel – 9 points
Estonia – 4 points
Moldova – 1 point
Group K
England – 21 points
Albania – 14 points
Serbia – 10 points
Latvia – 5 points
Andorra – 1 point
📆Sunday matches
15:00 – Portugal vs. Armenia
15:00 – Hungary vs. Ireland
18:00 – Albania vs. England
18:00 – Azerbaijan vs. France
18:00 – Serbia vs. Latvia
18:00 – Ukraine vs. Iceland
20:45 – Israel vs Moldova
20:45 – Italy vs. Norway
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.
📸 Mattia Ozbot – 2025 Getty Images