2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Italy Crushed by Norway, Belgium Held, Croatia Run Riot
Friday night delivered drama across Europe as six matches were played in the UEFA zone qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But the biggest shock of the day came in Group I, where Italy suffered a stunning 3–0 defeat to an inspired Norway side in Oslo.
Erling Haaland opened the scoring before orchestrating the attack that saw his teammates add two more past Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Norwegians, now with a perfect 9 points from three matches, sit firmly atop the group.
Elsewhere in Group I, Israel picked up a vital away win against Estonia, climbing into second place. As for the reigning European champions, Italy find themselves in an unfamiliar spot — fourth and scoreless, with mounting pressure on coach Luciano Spalletti.
Belgium Frustrated, Wales Flying in Group J
Belgium, now under the management of Rudi Garcia, stumbled in their opener in Group J, drawing 1–1 with a resilient North Macedonia. The result leaves the Red Devils in fourth place — not the start expected from a side that eliminated Ukraine in the recent Nations League play-offs.
North Macedonia now sit second in the group, while Wales climbed to the top with a dominant win over Liechtenstein, reaffirming their status as early frontrunners in the five-team group.
Croatia Smash Gibraltar in Seven-Goal Rout
In Group L, Croatia sent a strong message with a ruthless 7–0 demolition of Gibraltar, kickstarting their campaign in emphatic fashion. The result sees the World Cup 2018 runners-up rise to third in the standings after just one match played.
FIFA World Cup 2026, Qualifiers
Day : 2025-06-06
"Estonia" - "Israel" 1:3 (1:1)
Goals : Käit, 31 (1:0); Biton Dan, 39 (1:1); Biton Dan, 49 (1:2); Abu Fani, 89 (penalty) (1:3)
Yellow Cards : Hein 87 -
"North Macedonia" - "Belgium" 1:1 (0:1)
Goals : De Cuyper, 28 (0:1); Alioski, 86 (1:1)
Yellow Cards : Atanasov 15; Musliu 66; Ilievski B. 70; Bardhi 76; Mitrovski 81; Ristovski M. 90 - Meunier 44
"Wales" - "Liechtenstein" 3:0 (1:0)
Goals : Rodon, 39 (1:0); Wilson H., 65 (2:0); Moore Ki., 68 (3:0)
Yellow Cards : Sheehan 83 - Kindle 49; Pizzi 73
"Czech Republic" - "Montenegro" 2:0 (1:0)
Goals : Hložek, 23 (1:0); Schick, 65 (2:0)
Yellow Cards : Coufal 90 - Vesovic 45; Vujačić 90; Savic 90; Loncar Stefan 90
"Norway" - "Italy" 3:0 (3:0)
Goals : Sørloth, 14 (1:0); Nusa, 34 (2:0); Håland E., 42 (3:0)
Yellow Cards : Thorsby 38; Berg P. 55 -
"Gibraltar" - "Croatia" 0:7 (0:2)
Goals : Pasalic Mario, 28 (0:1); Budimir, 30 (0:2); Ivanović Fr., 60 (0:3); Ivanović Fr., 63 (0:4); Perišić I., 73 (0:5); Kramaric, 77 (0:6); Kramaric, 79 (0:7)
Yellow Cards : - Pongracic 54
