World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Key Matches This Week

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with a series of pivotal qualifying matches across multiple confederations this week. With the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada fast approaching, the stakes have never been higher.

In the European qualifiers, several nations are fighting for the remaining spots. The battle for automatic qualification has intensified, with some traditional powerhouses finding themselves in precarious positions. England, France, and Germany have already secured their places, but several other big names face must-win encounters.

South America's qualification campaign has been equally dramatic. Brazil's resurgence under their new manager has put them back in contention, while Argentina continue to lead the standings. Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay are locked in a tight battle for the remaining automatic spots.

In the AFC qualifiers, Japan and Australia are front-runners, while the CONCACAF region sees the host nations already qualified, leaving the remaining spots fiercely contested among Canada's rivals.

The expanded 48-team format for 2026 means more nations than ever have a realistic chance of reaching the World Cup, adding extra drama to every qualifying fixture. This week's matches could prove decisive for several nations' World Cup dreams.