The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies on March 26, with qualification campaigns heating up across multiple confederations. With expanded slots available for the first 48-team tournament, opportunity is greater—but so is the pressure.
From European heavyweights looking to assert dominance to emerging nations chasing history, Thursday’s slate delivers a blend of must-win clashes and potential shocks.
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Turkiye 2/5 , Draw 4/1, Romania 6/1
To Qualify: Turkiye 1/5 / Romania 10/3
To Win from Behind: Turkiye 6/1 / Romania 20/1
To Win to Nil: Turkiye 5/4 / Romania 12/1
To Win Either Half: Turkiye 2/9 / Romania 5/2
To Win Both Halves: Turkiye 12/5 / Romania 28/1
To Score in Both Halves: Turkiye 11/10 / Romania 7/1
Czechia 19/20 , Draw 12/5, Rep of Ireland 3/1
To Qualify: Czechia 4/9 / Rep of Ireland 13/8
To Win from Behind: Czechia 9/1 / Rep of Ireland 16/1
To Win to Nil: Czechia 9/4 / Rep of Ireland 11/2
To Win Either Half: Czechia 8/15 / Rep of Ireland 6/4
To Win Both Halves: Czechia 5/1 / Rep of Ireland 16/1
To Score in Both Halves: Czechia 12/5 / Rep of Ireland 5/1
Denmark 3/10 , Draw 17/4, North Macedonia 9/1
To Qualify: Denmark 1/9 / North Macedonia 11/2
To Win from Behind: Denmark 6/1 / North Macedonia 28/1
To Win to Nil: Denmark 1/1 / North Macedonia 16/1
To Win Either Half: Denmark 2/11 / North Macedonia 10/3
To Win Both Halves: Denmark 7/4 / North Macedonia 40/1
To Score in Both Halves: Denmark 1/1 / North Macedonia 10/1
Italy 3/10 , Draw 9/2, Northern Ireland 10/1
To Qualify: Italy 1/8 / Northern Ireland 5/1
To Win from Behind: Italy 7/1 / Northern Ireland 33/1
To Win to Nil: Italy 5/6 / Northern Ireland 14/1
To Win Either Half: Italy 2/11 / Northern Ireland 4/1
To Win Both Halves: Italy 7/4 / Northern Ireland 50/1
To Score in Both Halves: Italy 11/10 / Northern Ireland 12/1
Poland 4/6 , Draw 13/5, Albania 19/4
To Qualify: Poland 3/10 / Albania 12/5
To Win from Behind: Poland 9/1 / Albania 22/1
To Win to Nil: Poland 11/8 / Albania 8/1
To Win Either Half: Poland 2/5 / Albania 9/4
To Win Both Halves: Poland 7/2 / Albania 25/1
To Score in Both Halves: Poland 9/4 / Albania 9/1
Slovakia 21/20 , Draw 9/4, Kosovo 11/4
To Qualify: Slovakia 1/2 / Kosovo 6/4
To Win from Behind: Slovakia 10/1 / Kosovo 16/1
To Win to Nil: Slovakia Slovakia 2/1 / Kosovo 9/2
To Win Either Half: Slovakia 8/13 / Kosovo 6/4
To Win Both Halves: Slovakia 6/1 / Kosovo 16/1
To Score in Both Halves: Slovakia 3/1 / Kosovo 6/1
Ukraine 2/1 , Draw 21/10, Sweden 6/4
To Qualify: Ukraine 1/1 / Sweden 3/4
To Win from Behind: Ukraine 12/1 / Sweden 10/1
To Win to Nil: Ukraine 7/2 / Sweden 3/1
To Win Either Half: Ukraine 10/11 / Sweden 4/5
To Win Both Halves: Ukraine 10/1 / Sweden 8/1
To Score in Both Halves: Ukraine 7/2 / Sweden 3/1
Wales 17/20 , Draw 12/5, Bosnia-Herzegovina 7/2
To Qualify: Wales 4/9 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 13/8
To Win from Behind: Wales 9/1 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 16/1
To Win to Nil: Wales 2/1 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 6/1To Win Either Half: Wales 1/2 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 13/8
To Win Both Halves: Wales 5/1 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 18/1
To Score in Both Halves: Wales 9/4 / Bosnia-Herzegovina 11/2
The spotlight in Europe falls on traditional powers such as England national football team, France national football team, Italy national football team, and Spain national football team—all expected to collect points, but each facing unique challenges.
England enters the window with expectations as high as ever. With a squad built around elite attacking depth, anything less than a comfortable win would raise questions about their consistency in qualification cycles—a recurring narrative in recent years.
France, led by Kylian Mbappé, remain one of the most complete sides in world football. Their ability to control matches both in transition and possession makes them overwhelming favorites in most fixtures, but complacency has occasionally crept in during qualifiers.
Italy and Spain, meanwhile, continue their evolution. Italy’s tactical discipline remains its hallmark, but goals have not always come easily. Spain’s youthful core offers fluidity and control, though questions remain about their cutting edge in the final third.
Key angle: Early qualification rounds are often where complacency creates value—underdogs keeping matches tight is a recurring theme.
If Europe offers predictability, South America delivers chaos.
The CONMEBOL World Cup qualification campaign remains the most unforgiving in international football. Every match feels like a final, and March 26 is no exception.
Defending world champions Argentina national football team continue to ride the leadership of Lionel Messi, though squad rotation and managing aging stars are increasingly part of the equation.
Meanwhile, Brazil national football team is in a period of transition. The talent pool remains unmatched, but cohesion has been inconsistent—making even “favorable” fixtures far from straightforward.
Teams like Uruguay national football team and Colombia national football team are no longer outsiders—they are legitimate threats capable of taking points off anyone, particularly at home.
Key angle: Home advantage in South America is massive—altitude, travel, and atmosphere routinely flip expectations.
With the 2026 tournament hosted in North America, qualification dynamics in CONCACAF World Cup qualification are evolving.
The United States men's national soccer team continues to develop one of its most talented generations, blending European-based stars with domestic depth. Consistency, however, remains the key question.
Mexico national football team is under pressure to reassert itself as the region’s dominant force, while Canada men's national soccer team—led by Alphonso Davies—is no longer a surprise package but an expected contender.
Key angle: With more qualification spots available, the battle shifts from survival to seeding—and that changes how teams approach these fixtures.
March 26 may be just another date on the calendar, but in World Cup qualifying, every point carries long-term consequences. Momentum built now often determines qualification months later.
With the expanded format of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, more teams will reach the final stage—but the margin for error remains razor thin.
And as always in international football, the script rarely follows expectations.
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