The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up as European teams battle for qualification. Group A is witnessing intense competition, with Germany and Slovakia vying for the top spot and automatic qualification.
In Leipzig, Germany faces Slovakia in a crucial match. Both teams are level on points, making this a decisive encounter. Germany, currently ahead on goal difference, needs to avoid defeat to secure automatic qualification. A victory for Slovakia would see them leapfrog Germany and advance directly to the World Cup, while relegating Germany to the play-offs. Germany has had a strong qualifying run, including recent victories against Luxembourg (2-0) and Northern Ireland (1-0). However, Slovakia handed Germany a 2-0 loss earlier in the campaign. Slovakia also secured a 1-0 victory against Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland, already assured a play-off spot through the Nations League, takes on Luxembourg. Northern Ireland's recent form has been mixed, with a loss to Slovakia (1-0) and a win against Luxembourg. Luxembourg, though already eliminated, will be looking to end their qualifying campaign on a high note.
The confirmed lineups for the Germany-Slovakia match are as follows:
- Germany (4-2-3-1): Baumann; Kimmich, Tah, Schlotterbeck, Raum; Pavlović, Goretzka; Gnabry, Wirtz, Sané; Woltemade.
- Slovakia (4-3-3): Dúbravka; Gyömbér, Skriniar, Obert, Hancko; Bero, Lobotka, Sauer; Duris, Strelec, Duda.
The lineups for Northern Ireland and Luxembourg are:
- Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Hazard, Brown, McNair, McConville; Bradley, Lewis, Galbraith, Lyons, McDonnell; Donley, Price.
- Luxembourg (4-3-3): Moris; Jans, Carlson, Korac, Martins M; Barreiro, Olesen, Martins C; Dardari, Thill, Sinani.
In other World Cup qualifying news, Croatia has already secured their place at the 2026 World Cup, joining England and France as the first European nations to qualify. The Netherlands' qualification was put on hold after being held by Poland. The UEFA Executive Committee has confirmed a revised qualification format, increasing the number of final tournament slots for UEFA from 13 to 16. The winners of each group will qualify for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams will advance to the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League that finished outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group.
