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France Qualify for World Cup, Norway Close In, and Ireland Stun Portugal

France booked their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup — to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with a commanding 4-0 victory over Ukraine at Parc des Princes in Paris, in Group D of the European qualifiers.

The goals came from captain Kylian Mbappé (55’, penalty, 83’), Michael Olise (76’), and substitute Hugo Ekitike (88’), sending the two-time world champions (1998, 2018) to their 17th World Cup appearance — and their eighth in a row.

France now top the group with 13 points, securing automatic qualification ahead of Iceland, who sit second with seven points after a 2-0 away win over bottom side Azerbaijan, while Ukraine remain third on the same tally but with an inferior goal difference.

Meanwhile, Norway moved within touching distance of qualifying for their fourth-ever World Cup — and their first since 1998 — after a 4-1 win over Estonia in Group I.

All four Norwegian goals came in a dominant second-half display, courtesy of strike duo Alexander Sørloth (50’, 52’) and Erling Haaland (56’, 62’). Haaland, the Manchester City superstar, now has 14 goals in seven qualifiers and 53 goals in 47 international caps.

Norway lead the group with 21 points, three clear of Italy, who left it late to beat Moldova 2-0 thanks to goals from Gianluca Mancini (88’) and substitute Francesco Pio Esposito (90+2’).
The two sides will meet in a decisive clash at San Siro, where Norway hold the advantage thanks to a vastly superior goal difference (+29 compared to +12 for Italy).

In Group F, Ireland pulled off a stunning upset against Portugal, delaying their qualification hopes with a 2-0 victory — their first win over the Portuguese since 2005.

Troy Parrott struck twice (17’, 45’), while Cristiano Ronaldo was shown a straight red card in the 61st minute — the first of his international career — for elbowing Dara O’Shea.

Portugal would have sealed qualification with a win, but the defeat leaves them needing a result in their final match against Armenia, who remain bottom of the group.

If Portugal lose and Hungary — who beat Armenia 1-0 — defeat Ireland in their final fixture, Hungary could overtake the Selecão for the automatic qualification spot, leaving Portugal to battle through the playoffs.

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