The battle for the World Cup qualification: key victories and the power balance in the selection process for the 2026 World Cup

The qualifying process for the 2026 World Cup has reached a decisive stage. The games played over the past few days have served as a real test of the teams vying for spots in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. What’s at stake isn’t just prestige, but also direct qualifications and playoff matches. Every mistake can be fatal.

In Europe, France easily defeated the Netherlands 3-1. They demonstrated excellent efficiency in transitioning from defense to offense. Mbappé scored twice, while Griezmann made two key passes. In South America, Brazil and Argentina both won their matches. “Seleção” defeated Uruguay 2-0, while the current World Cup champions easily beat Colombia 3-1, thanks to precise shots from Lautaro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez. In Asia, Japan defeated Saudi Arabia 4-0, maintaining its lead in the group. South Korea also won against Iran in extra time 2-1.

After this round of games, the standings look like this:

• UEFA: France and Portugal lead their groups with 15 points each. Spain and England are two points behind.
• CONMEBOL: Argentina (13 points) and Brazil (12 points) share the top spot. Uruguay and Colombia are in the playoff zone.
• AFC: Japan (14 points) and South Korea (13 points) are clearly leading toward direct qualifications. Iran and Australia are fighting for a place in the playoffs.
• CONCACAF: Mexico and the United States share the lead with 11 points each. Canada finishes third with 10 points.

The main takeaway from this round of games is that the favorites didn’t flinch, but the competition remains intense within each group. Any mistake can send a team into playoff matches, where nerves and tactics determine everything. The next round will be crucial for the teams that are in the playoff race. This is where the foundation for the final tournament in 2026 is laid.