Belgium, Spain clinch World Cup spots on last day of qualifying

SEVILLE, Spain – Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland and Austria sealed the remaining automatic European berths for the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday as the continent’s qualifying campaign came to an end.

Spain finished top of Group E despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Turkey, extending their unbeaten run in competitive matches to 31 — matching Italy’s record set between 2018 and 2021. Dani Olmo’s early strike in Seville was cancelled out by Deniz Gul’s equaliser, the first goal Spain conceded in the group. Salih Özcan put Turkey ahead shortly after halftime before Mikel Oyarzabal levelled to secure the point Spain needed.

“We wanted to finish without conceding a goal. A bittersweet taste, but we’re happy to qualify for the World Cup,” Olmo said after the match.

Turkey, needing an improbable 14-goal swing to top the group, will move on to the playoffs after ending Spain’s winning streak but falling short of qualification.

Scotland clinched their first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a 4-2 win over 10-man Denmark in Group C. Scott McTominay opened the scoring with a bicycle kick inside three minutes at Hampden Park before two stoppage-time goals sealed the victory. Denmark’s late red card shifted momentum firmly in Scotland’s favour.

“We’ve been on a journey,” Scotland coach Steve Clarke said. “This was like a playoff final. We put everything on the line.”

Belgium eased through Group F with a 7-0 win over Liechtenstein, led by braces from Charles De Ketelaere and Jeremy Doku. The Red Devils secured qualification for a fourth straight World Cup despite the absence of injured midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.

Switzerland clinched their place with a 1-1 draw in Kosovo, while Austria advanced from Group H after a controlled 1-1 home draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Wales finished second in Belgium’s group after a 7-1 victory over North Macedonia, with Harry Wilson scoring a hat trick. Both nations had already secured playoff spots through their Nations League ranking, meaning the result did not affect their postseason path.

All 12 European group winners have now qualified directly for the tournament. The runners-up — along with four highest-ranked Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two — will compete in the playoffs on March 26 and 31.

The 2026 World Cup will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.