World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Belgium and Germany ok, France stuck in Iceland. Sweden flops

With Kevin De Bruyne among the main protagonists, with two penalties scored, Belgium defeats Wales in Group J of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as far as the UEFA area is concerned. The Red Devils thus return to the top of the Group, overtaking North Macedonia stopped on’1-1 by Kazakhstan.

A mouse invades the field, match suspended: photos

Germany also did well, who needed only a goal from Woltemade to get the better of Northern Ireland, which was stopped by a goal disallowed for offside by Ballard at 0-0. It was a less positive night for France, which did not go beyond a 2-2 draw in Iceland: milanist Nkunku’s goal was not enough. Sweden’s black period continues, defeated by Kosovo also at home after the September knockout in Pristina: Fisnik Asllani decides. Below are all the results of the matches played Monday night and the rankings of the relevant groups:

Group A
Northern Ireland-Germany 0-1 – 31′ Woltemade
Slovakia-Luxembourg 2-0 – 55′ Obert, 72′ Schranz
Ranking: Germany and Slovakia 9, Northern Ireland 6, Luxembourg 0.

Group B
Slovenia-Switzerland 0-0
Sweden-Kosovo 0-1 – 32′ Asllani
Ranking: Switzerland 10, Kosovo 7, Slovenia 3, Sweden 1.

Group D
Iceland-France 2-2 – 39′ Palsson, 63′ Nkunku (F), 68′ Mateta (F), 70′ Hlynsson
Ukraine-Azerbaijan 2-1 – 30′ Gutsulyak, 48′ pt aut. Mykolenko (A), 64′ Malinovskyi (played in Kravovia, Poland)
Ranking: France 10, Ukraine 7, Iceland 4, Azerbaijan 1.

Group J
Wales-Belgium 2-4 – 8′ Rodon, 18′ rig. and 76′ rig. De Bruyne (B), 24′ Meunier (B), 89′ Broadhead, 90′ Trossard (B)

North Macedonia-Kazakhstan 1-1 – 54′ Karaman, 74′ Bardhi (M)
Ranking: Belgium 14, North Macedonia* 13, Wales 10, Kazakhstan* 7, Liechtenstein 0 (with the’asterisk the teams with one more game).