The new day of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers saw the Dardanians fall in their debut against Switzerland. Coach Foda's Kosovo collapsed 4-0 in Basel, abandoned by its stars Zhegrova and Rashica.
No problem for France, Croatia and Italy, while Israel imposes itself 4-0 against Moldova, in a challenge that is very important for the team of the technician Gattuso. Placed in the same group as the azzurri, the National Team led by Ben Shimon takes the third victory in four matches played and climbs to 9 points in Group I, thus remaining +3 above Gattuso's boys and approaching to -3 from the leading Norway. Set Peretz, Solomon, Baribo and Gloukh.
GROUP B
Group B is the first day of qualifying for the next World Cup and Sweden enjoys victory, but it falls short by a few seconds. The Scandinavians, led by former Milan player Jon Dahl Tomasson, draw 2-2 against Slovenia, in an open match with a goal from Elanga (18'), author of a brilliant personal move. Udinese midfielder Lovric then equalizes in the first minute of the second half, with Sweden returning to the lead in the 74th minute through Ayari. Vipotnik thinks of sealing the final tie in extra time, forcing the two national teams to share the points.
GROUP C
In these world qualifiers, Group C also debuts, where a draw is recorded between McTominay's Scotland and Denmark. The Nordics start better, imposing possession during the first half, but fail to open the match, as do the Scots in the second half. The teams must then be content with one point each.
Greece, on the other hand, beat Belarus 5-1, opening the scoring with Karetsas (3') and then doubling the lead with Pavlidis (17'). Bakasetas put the Greeks ahead in the 21st minute with a left-footed shot that ended in the top corner, followed by Kourbelis' fourth goal (46'). Belarus was completely at the mercy of Greece and also suffered the mania of Tzolis (63'), but still managed to score the consolation goal with a penalty from Barkovskiy (72').
GROUP D
France opened the first day of Group D by defeating Ukraine 2-0 on neutral ground. In Poland, Bayern Munich talent Oliseh put the “roosters” ahead in the tenth minute after Barcola’s assist, with Mbappé then extending the gap for his friends in the 82nd minute, a minute after Dembélé was sent off due to an injury. Iceland also won, 5-0 against Azerbaijan. The opening goal was scored by Palsson in the first half’s extra time, using the assist from Fiorentina’s Gudmundsson. Johannesson scored a brace between the 47th and 56th minutes, allowing the home team to go ahead. After providing the decisive pass for the first goal, Gudmundsson also took personal joy in the 66th minute and gave Iceland their fourth goal, followed by Hlynsson’s fifth goal (73’).
GROUP I
Dominated so far by Norway (12 points in four matches), Group I of Italy sees the Azzurri win in Bergamo against Estonia, in the match that marks the debut of Gennaro Gattuso as new coach. After 0-0 in the first half, Kean puts the Italians ahead in the 58th minute, with Retegui (69' and 90'), Raspadori (71') and Bastoni (92') completing the final 5-0. Thanks to this success, the Azzurri climb to 6 points in the standings (with three matches played), but they still fail to capture second place (which counts for the play-offs). The 4-0 victory in Moldova gives Israel 9 points (achieved in four matches), with Ben Shimon's national team thus remaining the first follower of Norway. Peretz (15'), Solomon (35'), Baribo (59'), Gloukh (77') are thought to seal Israel's away victory, with Moldova remaining last in the group with 0 points.
GROUP L
The Czech Republic is confirmed as the leader in Group L, rising to 12 points (in five matches) thanks to the 2-0 victory against Montenegro. Cerv opens the match with a powerful shot in the 3rd minute, with the crossbar that then denies the home team an equalizer midway through the first half. To close any discussion, Cerny thinks in the 97th minute. In pursuit of Schick and his friends remains Croatia, winner 1-0 against the Faroe Islands. To score the goal that decides the first confrontation in history between these two national teams, the usual Kramaric thinks with a header (31'), after the post hit by Inter midfielder Sucic, a few minutes earlier.