Haaland shines as European World Cup qualifiers deliver surprises

WEB DESK: The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up across Europe, with the qualifying campaign already producing shocks, standout individual performances and unexpected group leaders. UEFA has been allocated 16 slots for the expanded 48-team tournament, with 12 group winners advancing directly and the remaining four to be decided through playoffs in March 2026.

The group stage began in March this year and runs until November 18, split across 12 groups. Groups A to F feature four teams each, while Groups G to L contain five sides. The winners of every group will qualify automatically for the World Cup, while the 12 runners-up will enter the playoff round, joined by four high-ranking UEFA Nations League sides that did not finish in the top two of their groups.

Croatia crush Montenegro 4-0 in World Cup qualifier

One of the most compelling storylines so far has been Norway’s resurgence. The Scandinavian nation has not qualified for a men’s World Cup since 1998, but under the leadership of star forward Erling Haaland, they now sit top of Group I with a perfect five wins from five matches. Haaland has been unstoppable, scoring nine goals in just five appearances, including a remarkable five-goal haul in an 11-1 rout of Moldova on September 9. His tally puts him three clear of Croatia’s Andrej Kramarić, who has netted six.

André Onana exits Manchester United after troubled two-year spell

Haaland’s teammate Thelo Aasgaard also impressed in that Moldova clash, scoring four times to take his total to five, level with Netherlands striker Memphis Depay. Depay, who recently became his country’s all-time leading scorer, has five goals in four games but was held goalless in the Netherlands’ draw against Poland, where he did provide an assist.

Further down the charts, a strong group of contenders are tied on four goals apiece: Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne, Bosnia’s Edin Džeko, England’s Harry Kane, Spain’s Mikel Merino and Czechia’s Patrik Schick. Merino is also among the four players to have struck a hat-trick during the campaign, showcasing Spain’s attacking depth.

Equally influential has been Norway captain Martin Ødegaard, who leads the assist rankings with seven. The Arsenal midfielder has been the creative heartbeat of his side, contributing to nearly a third of Norway’s 24 goals so far. He sits ahead of Wales’ Sorba Thomas, England’s Declan Rice, Italy’s Mateo Retegui and Israel’s Manor Solomon, who each have four assists.

Beyond Norway’s rise, the qualifiers have brought surprises elsewhere. North Macedonia, still chasing its first-ever World Cup berth, currently tops Group J by a single point ahead of Belgium and Wales with three games left. Germany, meanwhile, suffered a stunning 2-0 defeat to Slovakia on September 4 — their first-ever away loss in a World Cup qualifier — leaving Group A unexpectedly open.

Elsewhere, traditional heavyweights are holding firm. France, Spain and Portugal have all made flawless starts, while England lead Group K with maximum points. Croatia and Czech Republic are neck-and-neck on 12 points each in Group L, while Austria and Bosnia share the lead in Group H.

PSG fuming after Dembele, Doue international duty injuries

With the group stage entering its decisive months, the battle for qualification is intensifying. For established giants, the challenge is to maintain momentum. For outsiders like Norway and North Macedonia, the dream of a historic World Cup appearance feels closer than ever.