The race to the 2026 FIFA World Cup took dramatic new turns this week as fresh rulings and decisive fixtures reshaped qualification campaigns across multiple continents.
In Africa, South Africa’s hopes suffered a major setback after FIFA deducted three points from Bafana Bafana for fielding an ineligible player during their clash with Lesotho. The governing body awarded Lesotho a 3–0 victory and fined the South African Football Association, leaving Group C wide open ahead of October’s crucial fixtures. With this decision, the fight for the group’s top spot has been thrown into uncertainty, and the October 10 and October 14 matchdays are now make-or-break moments.
Meanwhile in North America, FIFA sanctioned El Salvador following racist and discriminatory behavior from fans during their qualifier against Suriname. The punishment includes a fine and partial stadium closure, meaning La Selecta could lose valuable home support in upcoming matches. Officials emphasized that anti-discrimination protocols will be strictly enforced throughout the remaining qualifiers.
In Europe, tension is building as UEFA qualifiers enter their final rounds. Heavyweights like France, Spain, and Germany remain in strong positions, but several groups are finely balanced with only a handful of matches left before automatic qualification and playoff spots are decided. Fans are already circling the November fixtures as potential deciders.
Elsewhere, South America’s brutal round-robin continues to deliver drama, with Brazil and Argentina under pressure to maintain consistency against resurgent sides like Colombia and Uruguay. In Asia, Japan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia lead their groups, but surprise contenders are making headlines as qualification battles intensify.
With only two international windows left in 2025, every goal, every ruling, and every fan’s voice is shaping the path to football’s biggest stage. The qualifiers have once again proven that the road to the World Cup is as unpredictable as the tournament itself.