Browsing: Qualifiers

Cristiano Ronaldo set a record for World Cup qualifying goals but the Group F leaders Portugal were denied early World Cup qualification by a late Hungary equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw.

Two Ronaldo goals – the first his 40th in qualifying to set the landmark – put Portugal on the verge of qualification but Liverpoolâ€s Dominik Szoboszlai struck in added time to stop the celebration party in Lisbon.

Portugalâ€s next chance to confirm their place in the World Cup finals tournament next year will be against Republic of Ireland in Dublin next month.

Evan Fergusonâ€s fourth goal in five competitive internationals kept the Republic of Irelandâ€s World Cup dream alive as they edged past 10-man Armenia to claim their first Group F victory.

The head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, had admitted in advance that he would accept a “shitty†performance and a 1-0 win on a night when victory was the only option, and Ireland eventually delivered – if only just – as they made the most of Tigran Barseghyanâ€s senseless second-half dismissal for a headbutt on Finn Azaz.

Ferguson, who had passed up a glorious opportunity to open the scoring seconds earlier, dispatched a 70th-minute header to seal a 1-0 win at the Aviva Stadium and ensure Portugalâ€s visit to Dublin and the trip to Hungary which follows it are meaningful, if daunting.

Italy kept alive their hopes of qualifying automatically with a 3-0 win against Israel courtesy of two goals from Mateo Retegui and a late header from Gianluca Mancini in Udine. The Italians remain three points behind the Group I leaders Norway, whom they meet at home next month. The bottom two teams Estonia and Moldova drew 1-1.

England have won Group K but Serbia remain in the hunt for second place after beating Andorra 3-1 with Dusan Vlahovic and Aleksandar Mitrovic both on the scoresheet. Serbia will battle it out with Albania, one point ahead, for the runners-up spot.

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Turkey remain three points behind the Group E leaders Spain after a 4-1 win against Georgia with Merih Demiral (two), Kenan Yildiz and Yunus Akgun all on target for the hosts.

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Swedenâ€s faint hopes of qualifying for the World Cup were all-but extinguished as the 2018 quarter-finalists lost 1-0 against Kosovo in Stockholm. Fisnik Asllani fired a first-half effort that allowed the Kosovans to complete a remarkable double over their opponents and boost their own hopes of booking at least a playoff place.

Sweden – who featured £125m man Alexander Isak up front alongside Viktor Gyökeres– remain rooted to the bottom of Group B on one point. Isak, who played another 90 minutes after doing the same in the 2-0 defeat to Switzerland on Friday, failed to find the target as he continues to work his way back to fitness following his summer move from Newcastle to Liverpool. Leaders Switzerland dropped their first points of the campaign as they were held to a goalless draw by Slovenia in Ljubljana.

Group D leaders France dropped their first points of the campaign as they drew 2-2 with Iceland in Reykjavik. Didier Deschamps took his side into the game knowing they could seal their ticket to the finals if they won and second-placed Ukraine failed to beat Azerbaijan in the other match.

But the night did not go to plan as Victor Palsson gave the hosts a 39th-minute lead, and despite two goals in five second-half minutes from Christopher Nkunku and Jean-Philippe Mateta putting France ahead, Kristian Hlynssonâ€s 70th-minute effort gave Iceland a point.

A win would not have been enough anyway for Deschamps†men as Ukraine nudged to a 2-1 win over Azerbaijan in Krakow.

Slovakia stay level on points with Germany at the top of the group after second-half goals from Adam Obert and Ivan Schranz completed an unconvincing 2-0 win over Luxembourg in Trnava.

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In Walesâ€s group, North Macedonia were held to a 1-1 draw by Kazakhstan in Skopje.

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Someone within Hampden Park had the temerity to blast Freed From Desire over the public address system at full time. A song normally reserved for euphoric moments only just drowned out the jeers that met a Scotland victory. People just want more and more? Too right they do.

Steve Clarke and his players edged closer to the World Cup with this win. It was just that a return to that scene for the first time since 1998 felt a million miles away as the Scots limped and laboured past Belarus. “We know we have got to be better, man,†admitted Scott McTominay. The Napoli midfielder was even more profound as he scored Scotlandâ€s second; latter word “me†and the first a rhyme with “duck.†McTominayâ€s lack of celebrations perfectly depicted Scotlandâ€s messy night.

Clarke is fiercely protective of his squad. To the Scotland managerâ€s credit, he refused to sugarcoat what played out here. A clearly furious Clarke was withering in his criticism. “I am really, really disappointed,†he said. “As disappointed as I have been during 72 games in charge. We just didnâ€t turn up. The performance was way below par. It is head-scratching.†Perhaps, yet it must be remembered Scotland were outplayed even in beating Greece on Thursday.

There is a caveat and an important one. Scotlandâ€s overall qualifying position is strong. They have taken 10 points from a possible 12. “The players know what my feelings are but I have great faith in them, I trust them completely,†Clarke added. “I am very confident they will be in a much better place next month. They have never let me down before and I am confident they will not next month.â€

Amid the bad vibes, Denmarkâ€s win over Greece in Copenhagen meant Scotland have secured at worst a World Cup playoff berth.

Yet so many questions were raised by this Scottish showing. They were unconvincing in defence, lacking authority in midfield and woefully ponderous in attack. A capacity crowd, who arrived for a box-ticking exercise, grew increasingly edgy. Should Scotland progress to the World Cup and produce anything remotely approaching this, they will be also-rans.

Belarus, the 100th-ranked team in the world and a side knocked for six at home by Denmark three days earlier, were the more fluent for concerted spells. The visitors managed 22 shots on goal, were denied a second-half equaliser by a debatable VAR intervention and had the Scots clinging on for dear life by the end.

Scott McTominay (left) doubles Scotlandâ€s lead over Belarus, but they were still made to endure a tense finale. Photograph: Owen Humphreys/PA

“In my opinion we deserved to at least draw this game,†said the Belarus coach, Carlos Alós. Not even those with tartan lenses on their specs could argue.

There had been warning signs for Scotland in the opening exchanges. It was just that nobody bothered to heed them. Scott McKenna had to scramble away a teasing German Barkovskiy cross, Kenny McLean had to block Evgeni Yablonskiâ€s shot and Pavel Zabelin sent a free header over the Scotland bar – all within 11 minutes. Ché Adams slamming home with his left foot after collecting a Jack Hendry pass for the opener – although it was originally ruled out for offside and needed a VAR review to stand – should have settled nerves, but Clarke cut an agitated figure for the remainder of the first half. Ben Gannon-Doak, Scotlandâ€s bright young forward hope, was guilty of poor decision-making time and again.

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Scotland believed they had won a penalty for a handball by Yegor Parkhomenko, only for Adams to be penalised for the same offence in the lead-up. The 63rd minute brought an even more crucial intervention by officialdom. Yevgeny Malashevich spun off Andy Robertson, met Barkovskiâ€s cross and flicked beyond Angus Gunn. The Romanian referee Marian Barbu decreed upon second glance that McTominay was fouled on the halfway line as Belarus snatched possession. It was a borderline call and an embarrassing scenario for the Scots to be in. “If that stands, I am not sure we would have got ourselves back in front,†said Clarke later. Alós refused to make an issue of the decision.

McTominay has been well short of his best throughout this Scottish campaign. He did, however, allow his country breathing space after Aleksandr Martynovich failed to clear Robertsonâ€s cross from the Scotland left. Anyone who anticipated Clarkeâ€s men easing over the line from there was to be swiftly dissuaded from that notion.

The final act of the night, quite rightly, belonged to Belarus. Robertson was left for dust by Hleb Kuchko in the sixth added minute of eight. He finished smartly underneath the advancing Gunn. Clarke dismissed the sense that nerves played a part in Scotlandâ€s approach. In fact, he swatted aside any potential excuse floated towards him. “Maybe Iâ€ll go back to the hotel and have a quiet beer,†said Scotlandâ€s manager. It was a night for more than one. Scotland must hope this is a game they never require to speak of ever again.

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UAE will face Qatar on October 14, 2025, needing only a draw to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup/ Image: X With a dramatic win over Oman, the UAE take a vital step toward a long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup. The result not only cements their position at the top of Group A but also sets up a high-stakes face-off against Qatar, with direct qualification within reach.

UAE beat Oman in World Cup qualifier: How the match unfolded

The UAE national football team staged a resilient 2–1 comeback victory over Oman on Saturday at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha, in their opening match of the fourth round of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Oman opened the scoring in the 12th minute after sustained early pressure. Forward Issam Al Subhi unleashed a shot that deflected off UAE defender Kwame Atun, wrong-footing goalkeeper Khalid Eisa and handing Oman the lead via an own goal. Oman controlled possession through much of the first half, applying pressing tactics that limited the UAE’s movement and creativity. The Emirati side struggled to find rhythm, with their attacking attempts disrupted by injuries and tight Omani defense. A pivotal moment came in the 32nd minute when UAE’s key winger Yahya Al Ghassani was forced off with an injury following a promising run. Head coach Cosmin Olăroiu brought on Ali Saleh as his replacement. Despite intermittent flashes of individual brilliance from Nicolas Giménez and Fabio Lima, the UAE went into halftime trailing 1–0. Defensive gaps and miscommunication marked their first-half display, while Oman maintained momentum through sharp midfield control and quick transitions.

Tactical shifts and substitutions spark a turnaround

The second half saw a strategic overhaul from coach Cosmin Olăroiu, who introduced three key substitutes — Harib Abdalla, Caio Canedo, and Yahya Nader. The changes had an immediate impact, increasing attacking urgency and opening up the flanks. In the 72nd minute, UAE appeared to have won a penalty when Ali Saleh was brought down in the box. However, following a VAR review, the decision was overturned, and play resumed without the spot kick. Undeterred, the UAE continued to press. Persistence finally paid off in the 76th minute. Ali Saleh delivered a perfectly measured cross into the box, where Marcos (or Milos) Miloni rose to head in the equalizer, breaking Omanâ€s resistance and bringing the game level. Just seven minutes later, the comeback was completed. Caio Lucas received the ball outside the penalty area and fired a thunderous long-range shot into the bottom corner in the 83rd minute. The goal, showcasing calm precision under pressure, became an instant viral hit on social media, capturing the joy of both players and fans. The final minutes saw Oman push forward in search of an equalizer, but UAE goalkeeper Khalid Eisa stepped up, making two critical saves to preserve the lead. His composure in the closing moments sealed the win and solidified his role in the team’s hard-fought victory.

Group A standings and what comes next

This result places the UAE at the top of Group A in the AFC Asian playoff qualifiers with three points. Oman and Qatar, who played out a goalless draw in their opening match, each hold one point. The stakes remain high. The UAE will face hosts Qatar in their next match on Tuesday, October 14. A draw would be enough to secure direct qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a historic milestone that would mark the UAEâ€s first return to footballâ€s grandest stage since 1990. For Oman, the road is now more complex. With only one point from two games, their path likely leads to the intercontinental playoff, unless results elsewhere swing heavily in their favor.

‘A Nationâ€s Dream’ rekindled after 35 years

The UAEâ€s only World Cup appearance came in 1990, during the tournament held in Italy. Since then, qualification has remained elusive. Under the leadership of Romanian coach Cosmin Olăroiu, appointed earlier in 2025, the team has demonstrated new tactical cohesion and resilience. Olăroiu has managed to maintain an unbeaten streak so far, blending experienced internationals with younger talents like Harib Abdalla and Yahya Al Ghassani. Support for the team is swelling. Thousands of UAE fans made the trip to Doha, turning the stadium into a sea of white shirts and flags. After the wign, prominent voices, including Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Advisor to the UAE President, congratulated the team online. “Congratulations to our national team on their well-deserved victory, and hard luck to our Omani brothers†team,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). The viral video of Caio Lucas†goal, now circulating widely across social platforms, has become emblematic of the UAEâ€s campaign: focused, spirited, and ambitious. With one final step remaining, the UAE are within touching distance of rewriting history. All eyes now turn to Tuesday, as they prepare to face Qatar, and potentially seal their ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Rúben Neves got Portugal out of jail with an injury-time World Cup qualifying winner against the Republic of Ireland after Cristiano Ronaldo had seen his penalty saved by Caoimhín Kelleher. Neves headed home in stoppage time to snatch a 1-0 win, four years after Ronaldo had scored twice late on to see off a stubborn Ireland.

It was a poignant tribute to Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July and whose No 21 jersey Neves wore in Portugalâ€s first home game since the Liverpool playerâ€s death.

Heimir Hallgrímssonâ€s men looked set to leave Lisbon with a hard-fought point but ultimately did so empty-handed, although having restored a good deal of pride with a battling display which erased some of the memories of last monthâ€s embarrassing defeat in Armenia.

Defeat, however, leaves them staring down the barrel, with their first three Group F games having yielded a single point. They must beat Armenia in Dublin on Tuesday if they are to have any hope of claiming a playoff place.

Caoimhín Kelleher saves Cristiano Ronaldoâ€s penalty at the Estádio José Alvalade. Photograph: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile/Getty Images

Kelleher looked to have earned Ireland a point when he brilliantly kept out Ronaldoâ€s penalty with his trailing leg after Francisco Trincãoâ€s shot had hit Dara Oâ€Sheaâ€s arm but Neves came to his sideâ€s rescue in the first minute of stoppage time when he headed Trincãoâ€s cross past Kelleher.

“Itâ€s a heartbreaking result,†said Hallgrímsson. “Sometimes we coaches try to look at performance when we lose games. I think what we planned to do, our gameplan, worked. There was a lot of energy put into this match. Just being so close and ending up with nothing is painful. Maybe you want to ask about tactical things and stuff, but this is how I feel after the game. Itâ€s painful.â€

Hungary boosted their hopes of qualifying by picking up their first win with a 2-0 victory over Armenia to climb above their opponents into second place behind Portugal. Daniel Lukacs gave Hungary the lead in the first half and Zsombor Gruber made sure of the points in second-half stoppage time.

Serbia slipped to a 1-0 defeat at home to Albania, with the result meaning England would seal their qualification from Group K if they beat Latvia on Tuesday. Rey Manaj scored the only goal for Albania with a neat volley in first-half stoppage time. His side are now in second, four points ahead of Serbia but having played a game more.

Rey Manaj scored in first-half stoppage time to earn Albania victory against Serbia. Photograph: Andrej Čukić/EPA

Latvia struggles continued as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Andorra. Ian Olivera scored for the visitors 12 minutes from time to earn them their first point of the qualifying campaign and extend Latviaâ€s winless run to five games. Andorra are the hosts on Tuesday in Serbiaâ€s game in hand.

Spain continued their dominant Group E campaign with a 2-0 victory over Georgia after goals from Jéremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal in Elche. The win extended the European champions†perfect run in qualifying, their having scored 11 goals in three matches without conceding.

Despite the absence of players such as Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Rodri due to injuries, Luis de la Fuenteâ€s side showcased their superiority against a Georgia team that spent most of the match defending deep. Spain dominated the match with more than 80% possession and Georgia did not have one shot on target or create a scoring opportunity with only the goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili preventing a rout.

Pino opened the scoring in the 24th minute from a well-executed set-piece routine and Oyarzabal secured the win in the 64th minute with a stunning free kick after Liverpoolâ€s Mamardashvili had saved Ferran Torresâ€s penalty.

Real Madridâ€s Arda Güler was among the scorers as Turkey returned to winning ways with a 6-1 thrashing over Bulgaria to keep some pressure on Spain, but the victors sit three points behind with a goal difference of zero.

Italyâ€s hopes of at least making the playoffs were given a boost with a 3-1 win away to Estonia thanks to goals from Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui and Francesco Pio Esposito.

Moise Kean scores Italyâ€s first goal against Estonia. Photograph: Claudio Villa/FIGC/Getty Images

Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, twice missing out in the playoffs, and the dreaded backdoor route now looks their most likely chance after Norwayâ€s 5-0 hammering of Israel in Group I. The Norwegians are top on 18 points from six games. Italy have 12 points with a game in hand on their rivals and are three points clear of Israel. Estonia remain fourth on three points. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup with the runners-up going into the playoffs.

Italy host Israel on Tuesday where a win would cement second spot and, while they can still mathematically catch Norway on points, the Norwegians†far superior goal difference means a playoff spot likely beckons for Gennaro Gattusoâ€s side.

Gattuso said: “Weâ€re not thinking about Norway or Israel. We know what we have to do.â€

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Trai Humeâ€s first Northern Ireland goal helped them to a 2-0 win over Slovakia to keep their World Cup qualifying campaign on track. Patrik Hrosovskyâ€s 18th-minute own goal rewarded Northern Ireland for a strong start but, after wasting two outstanding chances to double their lead either side of the break, they endured some nervy moments before Hume lifted the ball over the stranded Martin Dubravka with 10 minutes to go.

“The keeper has come to clear it, and I just had to guide it towards the goal and thankfully I did,†Hume told BBC Northern Ireland. “It was a great night, good performance and the most important thing is the three points. I think we deserved it.â€

The victory was reward for a strong performance, particularly in the first half, but the man at heart of it, captain Conor Bradley, picked up a cheap late yellow card that rules him out of Mondayâ€s visit of Germany.

Bradley had looked like a man on a mission from the start as Northern Ireland played with energy and desire and it was the Liverpool man who sparked the move for the opening goal. He picked out Ethan Galbraith in space inside the box, and the Swansea midfielder pulled back a low cross which the hapless Hrosovsky turned into his own net.

The second came on 80 minutes when Dubravka, unconvincing in commanding his area for much of the night, punched the ball weakly and it landed for Hume to lift it back over him and into an unguarded net.

Michael Oâ€Neill had refused to call this a must-win, but the reality was they needed all three points to keep pace in European Group A, in which Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Germany now all have six points from three games.

Joshua Kimmich netted twice to power Germany to a 4-0 home win over Luxembourg after the visitors went down to 10 men in the first half. The opening two goals came from dead-ball situations. David Raum curled in a free kick after 12 minutes and Kimmich converted a penalty nine minutes later after Luxembourgâ€s Dirk Carlson was sent off for handball in the area.

Joshua Kimmich scores from the spot in Germanyâ€s 4-0 victory. Photograph: Michael Probst/AP

Serge Gnabry scored the third three minutes after the break and Kimmich got his double two minutes later. The win puts the Germans top of Group A on goal difference.

North Macedonia put on a defensive masterclass to hold Belgium to a 0-0 draw away and keep a one-point lead in Group J, which also includes Wales.

The visitors kept out everything Belgium could throw at them in a near 90-minute siege. Belgium attacked almost from the start, with Jérémy Doku continually trying to open up the defence from the left flank and Kevin De Bruyne probing from the edge of the area. But their efforts were thwarted by a committed defence and when it was breached, goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski came up with some key saves.

North Macedonia lead Group J with 12 points from six games, one ahead of Belgium and two ahead of Wales. Belgium and Wales, who face each other on Monday, both have a game in hand over North Macedonia.

Kylian Mbappé was the saviour as France closed in on qualification with a lacklustre 3-0 home win over Azerbaijan in Group D. The Real Madrid forward opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time and set up Adrien Rabiot for the second, with substitute Florian Thauvin adding the third to put Les Bleus on nine points from three games and give Didier Deschamps†side a chance to secure qualification on Monday when they travel to Iceland.

Kylian Mbappé celebrates opening the scoring for France against Azerbaijan. Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

“We got the result we wanted but not the performance – especially in the first half,†said Deschamps. “Our ball circulation was too slow, it was all a bit too flat. I canâ€t stop players from thinking the goal will come eventually, but we didnâ€t do enough to unsettle them.â€

Ukraine scored twice in the last five minutes through Ivan Kalyuzhnyi and Oleh Ocheretko to beat Iceland 5-3 in an extraordinary game in Reykjavik. Iceland had fought back from 3-1 down to level things before Ukraineâ€s late strikes. The win moves Ukraine into second place in Group D. Azerbaijan, who next play Ukraine, remain bottom of the table with one point.

Switzerland captain, Granit Xhaka, scored from the spot as his side beat Sweden 2-0 in their Group B clash, leaving the Swedes†hopes of qualifying for next yearâ€s finals hanging by a thread after another dismal display.

Switzerland top the group with a perfect nine points from their opening three games, with Kosovo second on four points and Slovenia third on two after they played out a scoreless draw in Pristina. Sweden, who started with their star strikers Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres up front, are bottom with a point.

Isak struck the foot of the post for the hosts in the 26th minute before teeing up Lucas Bergvall for their best chance of the game, but the 19-year-old somehow managed to get the ball caught under his feet with the goal at his mercy. That miss proved costly when Switzeland took the lead in the 65th minute after Alexander Bernhardsson sent Djibril Sow sprawling in the box with a push in the back. Xhaka blasted the resulting penalty straight down the middle.

A frustrating night for Sweden was finished off when Swiss substitute Johan Manzabiâ€s tame effort was deflected past keeper Viktor Johansson in second-half stoppage time, condemning them to a second defeat in three games that leaves their qualifying chances in tatters.

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Iâ€m a bit late to this, but worth flagging this miss from Beto earlier this week. Guinea-Bissau were trailing Ethiopia 1-0 in their World Cup qualifier but created a golden opening in the 89th minute, only for the Everton striker to fluff his lines at the back post.

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This explainer from Andy Martin is a very nice run down of where we are globally with World Cup qualification. Twenty of the 48 places at the tournament have now been filled, including co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA.

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Perhaps we should start with Scotland. Ewan Murray was our reporter at Hampden and was brutally honest about how fortunate the home side were to take a crucial victory over Greece.

If Scotland make it to the promised land of next summerâ€s World Cup, they will glance back at this as a crucial evening. There must also be laughter to accompany reflection.

No sane observer could claim Steve Clarkeâ€s team deserved to prevail here. Lewis Ferguson and Lyndon Dykes sealed the win. Dick Turpin sprang to mind. Someone, somewhere appears to be smiling on Scotlandâ€s bid to play in a World Cup for the first time since 1998. The Scots, who had just 31% possession, are now in an excellent position in Group C. A playoff spot could be secured on Sunday evening, when Belarus visit Glasgow. Greece, who next travel to Denmark, need snookers.

“Football is a 90-minute game and you have to make sure you come out of it with a positive result,†said Clarke. “Maybe 3-1 flatters us but we did enough to win the game. It is a big win for us. Results are the only thing that qualify you for a tournament.â€

This is how Group C looks after that result. Had they lost, a play-off place could be slipping out of reach. But now, automatic qualification to the World Cup remains a very real possibility.

Photograph: Uefa.comShare

Preamble

You could hear the collective sigh emanating from the Football Association HQ last night as Thomas Tuchel decided that the best way to dissect Englandâ€s excellent 3-0 win over Wales at Wembley on Thursday night was to criticise the home fans that had parted with their hard-earned money and alternative evening plans to attend an international friendly.

The stadium was silent. We didnâ€t get any energy back from the stands. We did everything to win. What more can you give in 20 minutes? We didnâ€t let them escape. If you hear just Wales fans for half an hour, itâ€s sad because the team deserved more support today.

I stand by this statement. We cannot do more than being 3-0 in a derby. I would have wished for a bit more support in phases where it gets difficult. In the second half to get behind us, there was a bit too much support for Wales. It could have helped us to regain energy, but it is what it is and that is it.â€

Hmmm. How odd, picking a fight when there was almost none to be had. Anyway, weâ€ll have lots of reaction from Wembley, including the actual football, as well as the eight other World Cup qualifiers around Europe (including Scotlandâ€s crucial victory over Greece at Hampden) and preview the eight further qualifiers coming this evening.

Letâ€s get to it.

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Even close proximity to a global superstar cannot divert Scotlandâ€s attention from their World Cup dream. Or is it a teenage one? Katy Perry shared a city centre hotel with Steve Clarke and his squad this week as the singerâ€s Lifetimes Tour stopped off in Glasgow. Clarke did not quite go as far as saying, “Katy who?†but he was nonplussed by his squad rubbing shoulders with a bestselling artist.

“Was she?†said Clarke when asked about Perryâ€s whereabouts. “I didnâ€t know she was there. Iâ€ve heard the name and Iâ€m sure if you played me a couple of her songs Iâ€d say: ‘I recognise that one.†But I couldnâ€t name you one of her songs. Thatâ€s no disrespect to Katy but Iâ€m from a different generation.†Pressed on whether he would even recognise Perry, Clarke – by now laughing – added: “Eh, no. And she wouldnâ€t recognise me.†This very much feels like two worlds that should never collide.

Clarke was understandably more serious on the challenge likely to arrive from Greece on Thursday as Scotland kick off a crucial double-header. Belarus also visit Hampden Park on Sunday, as Scotland look to build on the positive World Cup-qualifying opening provided by four points out of an available six.

The backdrop is a curious one. Rangers†sacking of Russell Martin, with Steven Gerrard to hold talks over a return to Ibrox, and off-field rumblings at Celtic mean the national teamâ€s matches have rather crept up on even seasoned observers. Even Hearts†high-flying domestic start and woes at Aberdeen have felt more prevalent in Scottish football discourse. “I do glance through the headlines sometimes and itâ€s been strange in the buildup to such a big game that the national team has not been the main headline,†said Clarke. “But listen, thatâ€s the nature of football in Scotland.

“The players understand that every game in a qualification process is important, to get as many points as you can. We managed to pick up four points in the two away games last month and we hope to pick up as many as we can this month and that will put us in a good place going into November. The players understand what they have to do.â€

John McGinn (right) in training with Scotland. Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA

The Greece clash will mean Clarke matches the late Craig Brownâ€s record of 71 games in charge of his country. Somewhat typically, the 62-year-old has no desire to focus on personal landmarks. “I havenâ€t really thought about it, I have to be honest,†said Clarke. “Having had a half-decent career as a player and a half-decent career up to now as a manager and a head coach … I donâ€t think Iâ€m finished yet. Let me finish and then look back and I will tell you exactly how I feel about it.

“I have enjoyed it. When you take the job you donâ€t think youâ€re going to be in for six and a bit years with so many games under your belt. I have been lucky enough to work with a really good, consistent squad of players who have done ever so well for me. All my coaches have helped me and to get to this stage is been really nice. But at the moment my focus is only on qualifying for the World Cup next year.â€

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Greece landed in Scotland with confidence, having swaggered to a 3-0 Nations League win at Hampden Park in March. “The players did not quite hit the heights that they had before,†said Clarke of that wounding encounter. “So if this is a chance to make amends, hopefully that is what we do.â€

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Rodri of Manchester City (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) MADRID: Midfielder Rodri has been dropped from Spain’s squad for upcoming World Cup qualifying games because of an injury sustained when playing for Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend. Spain said Monday that Rodri will not play against Georgia and Bulgaria during the international break. The Spanish soccer federation said it made the decision after receiving the results of medical tests conducted by Man City. Spain is already missing young Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal because of a groin ailment. Rodri was forced off with a suspected hamstring problem in the first half of Man City’s 1-0 win at Brentford on Sunday, the latest injury blow to hit last year’s Ballon d’Or winner. Rodri said after the game he “felt a little bit in the hamstring but it seems like it’s not that much.” “I stretched the leg a little bit, a bit like in the Euros final. I stretched a little bit but it’s part of the process,” he said. “I don’t feel that I feel tired muscle-wise, I feel fresh but the most important thing is it’s not that big.” Rodri said “the good thing is the break so it will be even better in this sense to recover these days and hopefully I can be in the next game.” Rodri looked forlorn as he walked gingerly off the field in the 21st minute, moments after slumping to the ground while clutching the back of his right leg. He was replaced by Nico Gonzalez. Rodri sustained ACL damage in September last year that kept him out for eight months. He missed the start of this season after picking up another injury, reportedly to his groin, at the Club World Cup and has complained of knee pain in recent weeks.

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The Germany World Cup 2026 squad is shaping up.

The four-time winners are looking to get their World Cup 2026 qualification truly underway with fixtures against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland.

Julian Nagelsmann’s side went winless for four consecutive games earlier this year, with their last loss coming against Slovakia in their opening qualifying game.

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Every member of their squad for their October qualifiers, bar two, currently play their football in Germany.

Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade, who both moved to the Premier League this summer for a combined £180 million, are the only two members of the squad who play outside of Germany.

They’ve both had contrasting starts to life in England, with Wirtz yet to show his full potential and Woltemade hitting the ground running and being named Newcastle’s Player of the Month for September.

There’s no space for Leroy Sane, who has not been called up for two squads in a row. Antonio Rudiger also doesn’t make the squad, after picking up a muscle injury in September that will keep him sidelined for an extended period.

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He is ranked at no.18 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best managers in the world right now, and will be looking to add to the three trophies he won with Bayern Munich in his two-year stint.

Ranked at no.1 in FourFourTwo’s list of the best attacking midfielders in the world right now, Wirtz will undoubtedly find his form eventually, and when with Germany, he usually performs some of his best stuff.

With no Jamal Musiala for the foreseeable future, Wirtz has the opportunity to cement himself and Germany’s main number 10 ahead of the World Cup.

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