Group A: Spain and Scotland are ahead. The former world and European champions have a better starting position to win the group, which will be crucial for the draw (2 December). Spain will first play in Cyprus on Thursday and close against Georgia in Valladolid on Sunday. The Scots, who are currently level on points with the Iberians, will play against the third-placed Norwegians at home and away to Georgia.
Group B: France are still unbeaten and are already group winners after six wins from six matches. Wins in the matches against Ireland (Saturday) and Gibraltar (Tuesday) are enough for the Netherlands. Greece is tied on points with the “Oranje”, but has one less game left and also has to play against France.
Group C: England finished first in the group with five wins and one draw. Ukraine and defending European champions Italy are fighting for the second ticket. The main game is a direct duel at Leverkusen next Monday. The eastern Europeans are currently three points ahead of the Azzurri with a game in hand.
Group D: Turkey, which has regained its strength, is already in the European Championship, followed by Wales and Croatia in a long-distance duel. Only if Wales make a mistake in Armenia (Saturday) or against Turkey (Tuesday) can third place at the Qatar World Cup still overtake them. Croatia is still touring Latvia and will play against Armenia in Zagreb.
GROUP E: Surprising league leaders Albania can only theoretically be knocked out of one of the first two places. Behind it are the best cards of the Czech Republic. Even if the third-placed Poles win their final group game at home against the runners-up on Friday, victory over Moldova in Olomouc on Monday would be enough for the Czechs to finish second ahead of the Poles. Moldova also has a chance at second place if Southeastern Europe’s underdogs win their home match against Albania on Friday and the Czech Republic lose.
Group F: Belgium and Austria are definitely in there. Belgium can take first place with a home win over Azerbaijan.
Group G: Hungary need a point from two games to stay safe. Compared to Montenegro, Serbia also has the best chance of a direct ticket. If the Serbs lose at home against Bulgaria, the Montenegrins must also win in Hungary (both Sundays).
Group H: Slovenia and Denmark have the best chances, but have not yet qualified. A home win over San Marino on Friday will keep Kazakhstan in the race until the final matchday, as the Danes and Slovenians will snatch points from each other in a direct duel in Copenhagen a few hours later. The playoffs on Monday are: Northern Ireland vs. Denmark and Slovenia vs. Kazakhstan.
GROUP I: The 1-0 defeat in Kosovo was a crushing blow for Israel. In the second supplementary game of the Games, which were postponed following the Hamas attack on October 7, the Israelis are in action against Switzerland in Felshut, Hungary on Wednesday. With a win, the Swiss will move ahead of current league leader Romania and thus book their ticket to the European Championship. The Romanians have every chance to emulate that again on Saturday against Israel in Felsütte and on Tuesday against the Swiss in Bucharest.
Group J: Portugal has safely advanced after eight wins with 32:2 goals. Slovakia can hardly be displaced from Luxembourg and Iceland. Just one point from the two matches against the Icelanders (Thursday) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (Sunday) will be enough.
