© Imago
Cyprus will be expecting to make a winning start to their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign when they kick off their Group H challenge at home to San Marino on Friday night.
The hosts were last in action in November 2024, suffering a 4-1 defeat to Romania in the UEFA Nations League, while San Marino will enter the match off the back of a 3-1 success over Liechtenstein, which earned them promotion to the third tier.
We say: Cyprus 3-1 San Marino
San Marino will be full of confidence entering this match, and we are expecting them to get their name on the scoresheet on Friday evening, but Cyprus should be able to claim an important three points on home soil.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Cyprus vs San Marino
© Imago
In their first group stage game of their World Cup qualification campaign, Malta will host Finland at Ta’Qali National Stadium on Friday.
Malta have never participated in a World Cup and finished last in sixth place with five points in their qualifying group for the 2022 World Cup, while Finland ended up third with 11 points and only narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.
We say: Malta 2-0 Finland
Malta have been exceptional at the back, and they could have success against Finland’s struggling forward line.
The visitors have also been poor away from home, and their form on the road should make the hosts clear favourites to claim all three points.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Malta vs Finland
© Imago
Poland will hope to get their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign off to a strong start when they welcome Lithuania to Stadion Narodowy in their first group stage game on Friday.
The hosts lost 2-1 to Scotland in the Nations League in their most recent match on November 18, whereas Lithuania were beaten 1-0 by Kosovo in the same competition on the same date.
We say: Poland 2-1 Lithuania
Neither side come into the clash in good form, and it is difficult to see either keeping a clean sheet.
It would not be surprising if Poland edged a close match against Lithuania given their strong track record in World Cup qualifiers.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Poland vs Lithuania
© Imago
Romania will be aiming to make it seven straight wins in all competitions when they open their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with a home fixture against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday night.
The Tricolours secured promotion to League B of the UEFA Nations League at the end of 2024, having comfortably topped their section, while Bosnia-Herzegovina finished bottom of Group 3 of League A to be relegated to League B.
We say: Romania 1-1 Bosnia-Herzegovina
There has never been a draw between these two sides, with Romania leading the head-to-head record four wins to two, while they were 4-1 winners when the pair last locked horns in September 2022. We are expecting a tight match on Friday evening, though, and have ultimately had to settle on a low-scoring draw.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Romania vs Bosnia H’vina
© Imago
Andorra and Latvia will kick-start their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign on Friday evening as they clash on matchday one in Group K.
The hosts have not won a competitive match since September 2022, while the visitors’ last victory came in September 2024, with a 1-0 win over the Faroe Islands.
We say: Andorra 0-2 Latvia
Latvia have a formidable record against Andorra, and given the hosts have also failed to win in a competitive setting since September 2022, we believe the visitors will win here.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Andorra vs Latvia
© Imago
Taking their first step towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, England get Group K under way with a home game against Albania on Friday evening.
New boss Thomas Tuchel will lead the Three Lions out at Wembley for his first fixture in charge of last year’s European Championship runners-up.
We say: England 3-0 Albania
Given their status as regulars in the latter part of major tournaments, an experienced England squad are ultimately expected to contend for World Cup glory.
As such, they should sweep aside Albania on home turf, putting Thomas Tuchel alongside the nation’s last 10 permanent managers, all of whom won their first game as Three Lions boss.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: England vs Albania
> Tuchel makes Rashford, Henderson calls: Predicted England lineup vs. Albania
> Formations and full-backs: Tuchel’s three crucial decisions for first England game
> How every England manager has fared in their first game
