The next matches of the qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup have taken place.

Following England, France, Croatia, and Portugal, the Norwegian national team became the fifth European country to guarantee a place in the final tournament of the World Cup, Ukrinform reports.

The Scandinavians, having defeated the Italian team 4:1 in the last round in Milan, overtook the Apennines and took first place in Quintet I.

Italy advanced from second place in the group to the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoffs.

Tournament standings: Norway - 24 points, Italy - 18, Israel - 12, Estonia - 4, Moldova - 1.

As a reminder, the Ukrainian national team took 2nd place in Quartet D and will continue qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the playoff round.

It should be noted that the 12 group winners will immediately qualify for the 2026 World Cup based on the results of the group stage matches. Four more places from Europe will be determined in March based on the results of the play-off matches involving 16 teams. The 12 teams that take second place in the groups will qualify for the play-off matches, as well as the four best group winners of the 2024/25 Nations League that did not take first or second place in the group stage of the qualification.

Recall that the final stage of the 23rd FIFA World Cup will be held in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.