Poland v Netherlands, Croatia v Faroe Islands, and more: World Cup 2026 qualifying – live

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Finland have just lost 1-0 at home to Malta, which is a turn-up for the books in Group G. Jake Grech’s goal on 81min won it for the visitors. That’s Malta’s first win in seven games in this campaign, to go with two draws. Dancing in the streets of Valletta tonight?

Malta. Winners! Photograph: Pirjo Tuominen/EPA

Luxembourg v Germany teams

Luxembourg: Moris, Jans, Korac, Carlson, Bohnert, Olivier Thill, Martins Pereira, Olesen, Barreiro, Sinani, Dardari. Substitutes: Djabi Embalo, Curci, Avdusinovic, Muratovic, Pereira Cardoso, Veiga, Selimovic, Dzogovic, Sebastien Thill, Martins, Fox, Moreira.

Germany: Baumann, Baku, Anton, Tah, Raum, Pavlovic, Goretzka, Sane, Wirtz, Gnabry, Woltemade. Substitutes: Thiaw, Kimmich, Leweling, Ouedraogo, Burkardt, Nubel, Nmecha, El Mala, Schlotterbeck, Schade, Brown, Dahmen.

Referee: John Brooks (England)

Gibraltar v Montenegro teams

Gibraltar: Hankins, Jolley, Ronan, Lopes, Jessop, Torrilla, Annesley, Mauro, Pozo, Borge, James Scanlon. Substitutes: Banda, Del Rio, Morgan, Richards, Lopez, Bent, Perera, Olivero, McCafferty, Vinet, Mouelhi, Bartolo.

Montenegro: Nikic, Marusic, Tuci, Sipcic, Radunovic, Jankovic, Adzic, Bulatovic, Milan Vukotic, Osmajic, Krstovic. Substitutes: Popovic, Petkovic, Milic, Simun, Rubezic, Vesovic, Brnovic, Perovic, Djukanovic, Kostic, Loncar, Camaj.

Referee: Anastasios Papapetrou (Greece)

Can the Netherlands do it on a cold night in Warsaw? We’ll be focusing mostly on the match at the top of Group G. If Poland can win, they’d draw level on points with their opponents at the top of the group, although the Dutch goal difference is vastly superior: before kick-off it’s +19 to Poland’s +6. On Monday Poland are away in Malta while the Netherlands host Lithuania. Barring a shock the Netherlands will win the group regardless.

Preamble

Netherlands v Poland, Luxembourg v Germany, Slovakia v Northern Ireland and Croatia v Faroe Islands are just some of the top football matches occurring this evening on the road to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Gibraltar v Montenegro is also a football match, whether it counts as top, I will leave others to decide.

Germany need to tread carefully in Group A after losing their opener to Slovakia, while the Dutch and the Poles are duking it out for top spot in Group G. Northern Ireland are also in with a shot in Group A, but an away assignment in Slovakia won’t be easy.

For all your permutations, consult Ed Aarons’ definitive group-by-group breakdown below. I’ll also bring you some permutations musings shortly, plus team news and other stuff. You can always send me an email with your thoughts, too. Let’s get it on.

Kick-offs: 7.45pm UK time