-
Russia expels UK diplomat on spying allegations
-
Oil prices rise, stocks diverge tracking Mideast war developments
-
Iran and Israel trade strikes as US mulls Gulf ground assaults
-
Premier League fans back call to scrap VAR
-
Italy hoping to scale World Cup 'Everest' ahead of Bosnia play-off showdown
-
Japan's cherry blossom season dazzles locals and tourists
-
EU ups mackerel quotas to match UK despite overfishing concerns
-
Crude rises, stocks drop as Houthi attacks escalate Iran war
-
Australian Rules player banned for wiping blood on face of opponent
-
Sheep culls put pressure on Greek feta cheese production
-
One man, his dog, and ChatGPT: Australia's AI vaccine saga
-
Israel PM restores access after Latin Patriarch blocked from Holy Sepulchre
-
Israel strikes Tehran as Trump says Iran deal may be reached 'soon'
-
Italy chase World Cup spot as Kosovo bid to make debut
-
Myanmar paves way for junta chief to become civilian president
-
'Long live the shah': Iranian diaspora back war at Washington rally
-
Taiwan opposition leader accepts Xi's invitation to visit China
-
French masonic lodge at heart of murky murder trial
-
US military building 'massive complex' beneath White House ballroom project: Trump
-
IPL captain takes pop at Cricket Australia over record-buy Green
-
G7 ministers set to tackle financial fallout of Mideast war
-
Premier League fans feel the pinch from ticket price hikes
-
Australia to halve fuel tax in response to Middle East war
-
Crude surges, stocks dive as Houthi attacks escalate Iran war
-
Air China resumes flights to North Korea after 6-year pause
-
NBA-best Thunder beat Knicks as Boston seal playoff spot
-
King Kimi, Max misery, Bearman smash: Japan GP talking points
-
Philippines oil refinery secures 2.5 mn barrels of Russian crude
-
All Blacks prop Williams out of Super Rugby season with back infection
-
Life with AI causing human brain 'fry'
-
Dubious AI detectors drive 'pay-to-humanize' scam
-
Test star Carey the hero as South Australia win Sheffield Shield final
-
Defending champ Kim Hyo-joo holds off Korda to win LPGA Ford Championship
-
Implacable Sinner overpowers Lehecka to win Miami Open
-
Australian police shoot dead fugitive wanted for killing officers
-
UK police question suspect after car hits pedestrians in English city
-
World number two Sinner overpowers Lehecka to win Miami Open
-
Latin Patriarch to get immediate access to Holy Sepulchre: Netanyahu
-
Russian tanker heads to Cuba despite US oil blockade
-
Woodland takes Houston Open, first win since 2019 US Open
-
Italy's Bezzecchi wins fifth MotoGP in a row by taking US Grand Prix
-
Doue brace leads France past Colombia in friendly
-
Rheinmetall addresses row over CEO's Ukraine 'housewives' comment
-
Hungary's anxious rural voters will decide Orban's fate
-
Defiant Pochettino ready for 'even greater' Portugal test
-
Rohit and Rickelton power Mumbai to IPL win over Kolkata
-
Pakistan says growing support for its Mideast war talks plan
-
Russian tanker nears Cuba, defying US oil blockade
-
'Project Hail Mary' tops N. America box office for second week
-
Forty new migratory species win international protection: UN body
Who can qualify for 2026 World Cup in final round of European qualifiers
The final round of European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup takes place on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Here, AFP Sport takes a look at which teams can book a place at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico:
Group A
(Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)
-- Germany host Slovakia in a winner-takes-all clash for qualification. If Germany avoid defeat, they will qualify for the finals, if not, it will be Slovakia heading to North America for their first global showpiece appearance since 2010 in South Africa.
Whoever finishes second will be in the play-offs, alongside third-placed Northern Ireland, who have made the play-offs through the Nations League.
Group B
(Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)
-- Switzerland will qualify for a sixth successive World Cup finals if they avoid losing to Kosovo, who are guaranteed a play-off spot, by six or more goals. Kosovo are bidding for a first ever qualification for a major tournament.
Group C
(Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)
-- Denmark will qualify if they avoid defeat at Scotland, who must win to take their place. Whichever one misses out will be in the play-offs.
Group D
(France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan)
-- Two-time World Cup winners France have already qualified.
Third-placed Ukraine host second-placed Iceland needing to win to snatch a play-off spot ahead of their visitors.
Group E
(Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)
-- European champions Spain will qualify if they avoid an unlikely seven-goal defeat at home to Turkey, who are guaranteed at least a play-off spot.
Group F
(Portugal, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia)
-- Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is suspended for the final match, will secure their ticket to the finals if they beat Armenia, or if Hungary draw at home to Ireland. All three sides could still win the group but Ireland must win to snatch at least a play-off spot.
Group G
(Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)
-- The Netherlands are all but mathematically assured of qualification but can secure it by avoiding defeat against rock-bottom Lithuania. Poland, who are guaranteed at least a play-off spot, must beat Malta, hope that the Netherlands lose and somehow overturn a goal difference deficit of 13 to take top spot.
Group H
(Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino)
-- Austria will confirm first place if avoid defeat at home to Bosnia, who must win to snatch top spot, otherwise they will head to the play-offs.
Group I
(Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)
-- Norway will reach their first World Cup since 1998 unless they lose by nine or more goals to second-placed Italy, who are almost certain to head to the play-offs for the third World Cup qualification campaign in a row.
Group J
(Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)
-- Belgium will qualify if they beat rock-bottom Liechtenstein at home, or if North Macedonia and Wales draw in Cardiff. All three could yet top the group but Wales must win to secure at least a play-off place.
Group K
(England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)
-- England have already qualified and Albania are in the play-offs.
Group L
(Croatia, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Gibraltar)
-- Croatia have already qualified and the Czech Republic are in the play-offs.
S.Spengler--VB