The race to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada is serving pure theatre. From powerhouse dominance to last-gasp miracles, Europe’s qualifying rounds have delivered storylines fit for a Netflix series.

And football fans across South Africa are glued to every twist. With Bafana already safely booked for North America, local timelines are buzzing about who else is boarding the plane and who is dangerously close to missing out.

Below is the latest round of drama, heartbreak and joy from across Europe.

France Rotate And Still Roll

Even with a completely changed starting eleven, France wrapped up their campaign in Azerbaijan with a confident 3-1 win.

Didier Deschamps threw the squad list in the air and started an entirely new side after already booking their spot. It took a while for them to settle and they even conceded in the fourth minute. But Jean-Philippe Mateta, Maghnes Akliouche and a late own goal pulled them comfortably back in charge.

France finish top of Group D, fully seeded for the December draw.

Portugal Go Goal Crazy Without Ronaldo

Source: Kickoff Magazine on X

Cristiano Ronaldo may have been suspended, but Portugal barely blinked. Instead of cracking under pressure, they delivered a jaw-dropping 9-1 demolition of Armenia in Porto.

Bruno Fernandes and Joao Neves both scored hat-tricks, with Gonçalo Ramos and Francisco Conceição joining the fun. Portugal top Group F and book a seventh consecutive World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Armenia’s defeat opened the door for the night’s biggest emotional storyline.

Ireland Produce A Fairytale For The Ages

Source: Ireland Football on X

Troy Parrott. Remember the name.

The AZ Alkmaar striker scored a dramatic hat-trick, including a 96th-minute winner, to lift Ireland to a 3-2 comeback victory over Hungary in Budapest. The result sends them to the playoffs, keeping their World Cup dream alive.

It is Ireland’s first competitive hat-trick since Robbie Keane in 2014, and Parrott broke down in tears afterward, calling the night “a fairytale.” Hungarian supporters, meanwhile, were devastated as their long wait for a World Cup return continues.

England Make History With Flawless Qualification

Source: Harry Kane on X

Thomas Tuchel’s England completed a perfect Group K campaign with a 2-0 win over Albania courtesy of a late Harry Kane double. They become the first European side ever to finish a qualifying campaign of six or more games with a 100 per cent record and no goals allowed.

England end 2025 with their best win rate since 1946. Local fans say this team finally looks ready to challenge for a major trophy again.

Ukraine Claim Their Playoff Ticket

Source: andrii_sybiha on X

Ukraine needed to win against Iceland, and they delivered late drama. Oleksandr Zubkov’s first international goal in three years broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute before Oleksii Hutsuliak sealed a 2-0 win in stoppage time.

It was a gritty, emotional performance, and Ukrainian supporters across Europe celebrated a playoff spot earned the hard way.

Haaland Fires Norway Back To The World Cup

Source: One Football on X

For the first time since 1998, Norway are going to the World Cup. Erling Haaland struck twice in two minutes at a drenched San Siro as Norway beat Italy 4-1 to finish a perfect eight-game qualifying run.

Haaland scored 16 goals in qualifying and looks set to be one of the faces of the tournament. Italy, however, face yet another playoff nightmare. Home fans whistled the Azzurri off the pitch, fearing a repeat of the disasters of 2018 and 2022.

Who Still Has Work To Do?

Italy, Hungary, Iceland and several others head into March knowing that one mistake could cost them a place in North America. For some of these nations, the playoffs are familiar ground. For others, it is the edge of heartbreak.

But one thing is clear: Europe’s road to the 2026 World Cup has never been more dramatic, and fans worldwide will be watching every final twist.

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Featured Image: Equipe de France on Instagram

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