With the first day of the opening matchday of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Europe now over, it’s time to recap the best and most noteworthy moments.
📸 FABRICE COFFRINI – AFP or licensors
Belgium thrashed Liechtenstein as expected, and the standout player in that match was Youri Tielemans. The midfielder scored twice and kept orchestrating the play. Arthur Theate and De Cuyper also stood out.
📸 JOE KLAMAR – AFP or licensors
For the first time in their history, Germany has lost their debut in a qualifying phase, and also for the first time in their 52nd away match, they have been defeated. All this happened against a very brave Slovakia.
Dubravka, Strelec, Hancko, and Sauer excelled in causing trouble for Nagelsmann’s Germany.
A late goal from Matty Cash left De Kuip stunned in what seemed destined to be a key victory for the Netherlands after Dumfries’ goal.
Now there’s a three-way tie between the Dutch, the Polish, and the Finnish, with the Netherlands having one game in hand. Only two will qualify for the World Cup.
📸 JOE KLAMAR – AFP or licensors
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