World Cup qualifying is reaching its heights in the course of the September worldwide break. Solely 14 nations have booked their place within the 2026 World Cup, which can happen in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and extra wish to be a part of as quickly as potential. With the World Cup being expanded to 48 groups for the primary time as a part of this version, many countries will get the prospect to compete for the primary time, whereas others will look to finish main droughts and absences from FIFA’s premier match. 

Trying world wide, whereas the US will not be collaborating in World Cup qualifying, that is nonetheless an vital window the place they’re going to face South Korea and Japan. Different groups like Italy and Norway can have a lot to play for in UEFA, and World Cup qualifying will kick off in Concacaf for the groups who wish to be a part of the hosts.

Let’s check out what to look at for throughout this worldwide break:

Who’s the favourite in Concacaf?

With the large three of Concacaf already certified for the World Cup, the remainder of the sector must be respiration a sigh of reduction as World Cup qualifying kicks off (you possibly can catch all of it on Paramount+). Jamaica, Panama, and Costa Rica will all like their probabilities of making it on to the match, but when they slip up, Concacaf sides have improved and can be capable of push them for qualification. Guatemala and Honduras are two groups with probably the most to achieve from the additional qualification spots, because it’s anybody’s guess who will come out of the North American qualification.

Haaland to e-book his place within the World Cup?

Everybody desires a World Cup with one of the best gamers on the earth current, and if Norway can proceed their sturdy begin to qualifying, Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard will be capable of make their mark in the US. Norway have not certified for the World Cup since 1998, once they made it to the spherical of 16 in France, however they’re going to be seeking to finish that drought. Good up to now in UEFA qualification, subsequent up are matches going through Finland and Moldova to strengthen their place. Win these, and Norway will really be dreaming of qualification.

Italy look to keep away from lacking three straight World Cups

Sticking in Group I, whereas Norway are off to an ideal begin, the identical cannot be stated for Italy, who’ve one win and one loss by two matches. The one constructive that may be stated is that not less than they’ve solely performed two video games, however they have not appeared nice. After lacking the final two World Cups, Italy must qualify for the expanded version, as lacking a 3rd could be past detrimental. With a brand new coach in Gennaro Gattuso, who was beforehand at Hajduk Cut up in Croatia, they’re going to must hit the bottom working earlier than time to qualify runs out.

Brazil want a breakout 

Brazil could have booked their place within the 2026 World Cup, however Carlo Ancelotti has but to go away his mark on the workforce. They’ve solely scored one purpose of their final two matches, going through Ecuador and Paraguay, regardless of being a workforce who’re anticipated to be one of the crucial thrilling attacking sides on the earth. Ancelotti has stabilized the protection, however the subsequent step is getting the assault rolling, which he’ll now must do with out Matheus Cunha. Set to face Chile and Bolivia, this ought to be a window the place Brazil put targets at the back of the web, and if they do not, concern will proceed to construct.

Can the USMNT present up?

Below Mauricio Pochettino, the US nonetheless search a signature victory. Dealing with South Korea and Japan, they’re going to have an opportunity at one this window, though he is utilizing the September worldwide break to get a final have a look at new gamers earlier than tightening up World Cup rotations. Folarin Balogun will get an opportunity to play his first aggressive match below Pochettino, however he’ll be up towards Josh Sargent, who has scored in 5 consecutive video games for Norwich Metropolis. It is a crucial window for the USMNT, and so they have some regulars within the squad, however with out gamers like Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie, extra stress than ever is on Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams to steer the squad. Worries have continued to develop forward of the World Cup, and this can be a window that may assist ease them, however with extra poor performances, the spiral will proceed.

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