European football giants France and Portugal are on the cusp of securing their places at the next World Cup, with crucial qualifying matches taking centre stage tonight. The eyes of the football world will be on Paris and Dublin as these national teams battle for a ticket to the 2026 tournament in North America.
High-Stakes Encounters Across Europe
Didier Deschamps' France squad can officially book their spot at the upcoming World Cup with a victory over Ukraine at the Parc des Princes in Paris. The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time and promises high drama in the French capital.
Simultaneously, in Group F, Portugal have the chance to mirror their French counterparts by qualifying if they can overcome the Republic of Ireland at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. This fixture carries extra significance for the hosts, as Stephen Kenny's Irish side desperately need a win to keep their hopes alive for second place in the group, especially with Hungary currently leading 1-0 in Armenia.
Pressure Mounts for Home Sides
The pressure is particularly intense for Ireland, who suffered a heartbreaking late defeat to Portugal in their continental encounter last month. This recent history adds an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a must-win game for the Boys in Green.
Tonight's football menu is packed with other significant fixtures, including the highly anticipated England v Serbia clash at Wembley. Although it's worth noting that Super Tommy Tuchel’s team are already qualified for the tournament. Other matches feature Azerbaijan v Iceland, Armenia v Hungary, Norway v Estonia, Moldova v Italy and Andorra v Albania.
For UK viewers wanting to catch all the action, these crucial qualifiers are available on pay-per-view via Amazon Prime Video at £2.49 per match, ensuring fans won't miss a moment of the qualification drama.
