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Kicking off European qualifying Group J, North Macedonia begin their latest quest for a World Cup debut on Saturday, when they visit Liechtenstein in Vaduz.
After contrasting campaigns in this season’s UEFA Nations League, the sides will convene at Rheinpark Stadion.
We say: Liechtenstein 0-4 North Macedonia
Once again, North Macedonia will be merciless when meeting little Liechtenstein, as they aim to build up momentum before meeting Wales.
Blessed with several talented players across the final third, the Lynxes should fully exploit their hosts’ leaky defence.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Liechtenstein vs N. Macedonia
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Norway kick-start their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a trip to the Zimbru Stadium to face Moldova in their opening Group I fixture on Saturday evening.
Both nations are joined in Group I by Israel, Estonia and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between Germany and Italy.
We say: Moldova 0-3 Norway
Both nations will enter Saturday’s contest in high spirits considering how they ended 2024, but it is Norway who will be regarded as firm favourites to come out on top.
Moldova have somewhat frustrated Norway at times in the past, but that was before the emergence of Norwegian stars including Haaland, who the hosts may have difficulty stopping this time around if he is firing on all cylinders.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Moldova vs Norway
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Montenegro welcome Gibraltar to Gradski Stadion in Niksic for their opening Group L fixture in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Saturday evening.
Both nations are joined in Group L by Czech Republic, Faroe Islands and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between France and Croatia.
We say: Montenegro 2-0 Gibraltar
An upbeat Gibraltar outfit that has shown signs of improvement will be keen to pick up from where they left off at the end of last year under new boss Wiseman, but they will enter Saturday’s contest as underdogs.
Montenegro will welcome a return to home soil having won five of their last eight internationals on their own turf and considering that they have beaten Gibraltar twice previously by an aggregate score of 7-1, we are backing the hosts to kick-start their qualification campaign with a victory.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Montenegro vs Gibraltar
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Israel and Estonia square off at Nagyerdei Stadion in Hungary where they begin their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign in Group I on Saturday night.
Both nations are joined in Group I by Norway, Moldova and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between Germany and Italy.
We say: Israel 2-0 Estonia
Israel may have struggled to grind out positive results in ‘home’ fixtures in Hungary, but they will fancy their chances of success against Estonia, a nation that they have previously beaten twice by an aggregate score of 5-0.
Estonia have failed to score in five of their last six matches and also looked leaky at the back towards the end of last year, so unless they improve at both ends of the pitch, they may find if difficult to prevail against the Sky-Blue and Whites this weekend.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Israel vs Estonia
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Ultimately aiming for back-to-back World Cup appearances, Wales welcome Kazakhstan to Cardiff on Saturday evening, as they get their latest qualifying campaign under way.
The nations’ first ever meeting comes in Group J of the European qualifiers, which also features Belgium, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
We say: Wales 2-0 Kazakhstan
While Wales do not score freely and have key men missing, they should still see off Kazakhstan, who simply cannot buy a win in World Cup qualifying.
With one eye on a tough trip to Skopje next week, the Dragons will aim to get the job done swiftly before conserving some valuable energy.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Wales vs Kazakhstan
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Czech Republic kick-start their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a Group L fixture against Faroe Islands at Malsovicka Arena in Hradec Kralove on Saturday night.
Both nations are joined in Group L by Montenegro, Gibraltar and the loser of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie between France and Croatia.
We say: Czech Republic 3-0 Faroe Islands
Czech Republic have won each of their last five matches against nations currently ranked 100th or lower in the FIFA standings and having won seven out of seven meetings with Faroe Islands, who tend to struggle away from home, they will be regarded as firm favourites to secure maximum points this weekend.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Czech Republic vs Faroe Islands
