Portugal and Norway Qualify for 2026 World Cup

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Portuguese national team and Norway have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. They are the fourth and fifth teams to advance from the European zone.The Portuguese national team sealed one ticket to the 2026 World Cup after thrashing Armenia 9-1 in the final match of Group F Qualification in the European zone at Estadio do Dragao, Porto, on Sunday night, November 16, 2025.Playing without Cristiano Ronaldo due to a red card suspension, Portugal dominated the game on their home turf. They scored through Renato Veiga (7th minute), Goncalo Ramos (28th), Joao Neves (30th, 41st, 81st), Bruno Fernandes (45+3, 51st, 72nd), and Francisco Conceicao (90+2). Armenia's goal was scored by Eduard Spertsyan (18th).The three points from the match placed Portugal at the top of the final standings in Group F Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the European zone with 13 points from eight matches. They were three points ahead of Ireland, who advanced to the playoffs. Armenia finished at the bottom of the group.In another match, Norway also secured a spot in the final round of the 2026 World Cup. They qualified after a 4-1 win against Italy on Italian soil.Norway ended 28 years of waiting to return to the World Cup. Their appearance in the 2026 World Cup will be their fourth, following their participation in 1938, 1994, and 1998.Italy took the lead through Francesco Pio Esposito's goal (10th). Norway only managed to score in the second half through Nusa (63rd), Erling Haaland (78th and 79th), and Jorgen Strand Larsen (90+3).Norway dominated the final standings in Group I with 24 points from eight matches. They were six points ahead of Italy, who will have to fight again in the playoffs.Prior to Portugal and Norway, three European teams had already qualified for the 2026 World Cup, namely England, France, and Croatia.The European zone was allocated 16 slots for the 2026 World Cup. Twelve of those slots were awarded to group winners, while the remaining four slots will be contested in the playoffs, involving 12 runners-up and the top four teams from the UEFA Nations League.Editor's Choice: List of 29 Teams Advancing to 2026 World Cup Finals, France the LatestClick here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News