"Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Albania on Saturday means Thomas Tuchel's England can qualify by winning in Latvia on Tuesday, with two matches of their campaign still to play after that trip. The Three Lions have not missed a major tournament since 2008, when they fell short in qualifying for the European Championship under Steve McClaren. Tuchel's side have won all five of their Group K fixtures to date without conceding a goal."
"Anything but victory in Latvia on Tuesday would leave England still looking for a win against Serbia in November to guarantee qualification. A point in Latvia, though, would mean a draw with Serbia would all but secure their spot because England have a vastly better goal difference than second-placed Albania. England travel to Albania for their final group fixture on 16 November."
"The 12 group runners-up in the European section of qualifying will participate in the play-offs. They will be joined by the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024-25 Nations League that did not finish in the top two of their European qualifying groups. The 16 teams who enter the play-offs will be drawn into four play-off paths, with four teams featuring in each. Play-off matches will consist of single-leg semi-finals followed by single-leg finals, taking place on 26 and 31 March 2026."
England can clinch qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a win in Riga against Latvia on Tuesday 14 October. Serbia's 1-0 defeat by Albania created the possibility for qualification with one remaining victory. Thomas Tuchel's side have won all five Group K matches to date without conceding. A draw in Latvia would leave England needing only a draw with Serbia to be almost certain because of a superior goal difference to Albania. A loss would require a win against Serbia in November to guarantee qualification. The European play-offs will feature 16 teams in single-leg semi-finals and finals on 26 and 31 March 2026.
Read at www.bbc.com
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