Lisbon: Portugal has successfully secured its place in the 2026 World Cup following a dominant 9-1 victory against Armenia. The match, part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in the European Zone, Group F, marked Portugal’s sixth match in the series, allowing them to top the group with 13 points and earn their ticket to the final round of the World Cup.

According to Thai News Agency, Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, addressed the absence of suspended captain Cristiano Ronaldo in the post-match discussion. Martinez emphasized the importance of team responsibility and leadership on the field, highlighting the contributions of players like Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva. He expressed ambition for the upcoming World Cup, acknowledging the challenges ahead but stating the team’s intent to strive for the championship.

In another significant development, Norway achieved a milestone by qualifying for their first World Cup appearance in 28 years. Norway’s decisive 4-1 victory over Italy in the final Group I match secured their spot, as they completed the qualifiers with eight consecutive wins, amassing 24 points. Italy, on the other hand, faces the challenge of the playoffs to secure their position in the final round. In the same group, Israel managed a 4-1 win against Moldova.

Elsewhere in Group D, France secured its World Cup qualification with a 3-1 win over Azerbaijan, while Ukraine defeated Iceland 2-0, earning a spot in the playoffs.