As the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, teams across the globe are battling for their place on football’s biggest stage. From Africa’s powerhouses inching closer to qualification to Europe’s dominant performances and South America’s stunning upsets, here’s a full breakdown of the latest action.
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Africa: North African Giants Flex Their Muscles, South Africa Faces a Setback
North African teams are proving their dominance in the World Cup qualifiers. Algeria made a statement with a crushing 5-1 win over Mozambique, thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Mohamed Amoura. Egypt continued their impressive run, edging past Sierra Leone 1-0 with a last-gasp goal from Zizo. Meanwhile, Morocco remains flawless after a 2-0 victory over Tanzania.
But it’s not all smooth sailing in Africa—South Africa could lose crucial points due to an administrative blunder. Star midfielder Teboho Mokoena, who was ineligible to play after accumulating too many yellow cards, was still fielded in their win against Benin. If found guilty, South Africa could be handed a costly punishment.
(Full story)
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Asia: Australia Marches On as India’s Hopes Crash Amid Controversy
The Socceroos continue to dominate in the Asian qualifiers, following up their 5-1 thrashing of Indonesia with a composed 2-0 win over China. Goals from Jackson Irvine and Nishan Velupillay kept them on track for a top finish in their group, just behind Japan. With tough matches against Japan and Saudi Arabia ahead, the Aussies will need to stay sharp.
In contrast, heartbreak struck for India as they crashed out of the qualifiers in controversial fashion. They led against Qatar but eventually lost 2-1 after a highly disputed equalizer. The referee’s decision to allow Qatar’s goal despite possible interference sparked outrage among Indian fans and players.
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Europe: Tuchel’s England Starts Strong, Wembley Drama Looms
Under new manager Thomas Tuchel, England has kicked off their qualification campaign in style. A 2-0 win over Albania was followed by a confident 3-0 triumph over Latvia at Wembley. Reece James and Eberechi Eze both scored their first international goals, while captain Harry Kane continued his prolific form.
However, England’s next qualifier against Andorra won’t be at Wembley. Due to scheduling conflicts, the match will take place at Villa Park, a rare change for the Three Lions.
(More details)
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South America: Argentina Stunned, Brazil Falters
In a shocking result, Argentina fell 2-1 to Paraguay, despite an early goal from Lautaro Martínez. Paraguay’s comeback, sealed by Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete, handed the world champions a wake-up call.
Meanwhile, Brazil dropped points in a frustrating 1-1 draw against Venezuela. Vinicius Júnior had a golden chance to secure the win but missed a crucial penalty, leaving Brazil in a precarious position as the qualifiers progress.
(Match highlights)
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What’s Next?
With each match carrying immense weight, the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is getting more intense. Teams will be back in action in June, with crucial clashes that could determine who books their ticket to the tournament and who falls short. Stay tuned for more drama, heartbreak, and triumphs!