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At least one of Moldova and Estonia will collect their first points of World Cup 2026 Qualifying when they lock horns at Stadionul Zimbru on Tuesday evening.
The hosts were torn to shreds by Norway in their opening Group I encounter, shipping five without reply, while the Blueshirts were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Israel.
We say: Moldova 1-1 Estonia
Not one of the previous five meetings between Moldova and Estonia has seen more than one goal scored, so entertainment value should be at a minimum between the two whipping boys of Group I.
Hein and Soomets’s blows will no doubt harm the Blueshirts’ hopes of getting off the mark at the second attempt, though, and we have faith in Moldova to end their 10-game losing run in World Cup Qualifying and claim a point with a gritty defensive display.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Moldova vs Estonia
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First meets second in Tuesday’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Group I showdown, as Israel and Norway seek to maintain their 100% starts at the former’s adopted home in Debrecen, Hungary.
The top two sides collide at the Nagyerdei Stadion, where the ‘hosts’ saw off Estonia 2-1 on Saturday, while their Scandinavian counterparts hit Moldova for five without reply.
We say: Israel 1-3 Norway
Israel’s World Cup Qualifying games often turn out to be entertaining spectacles for the neutrals; they have both scored and conceded in their last five such games, and each of their last nine has seen at least three goals.
Expect that theme to continue in Debrecen, where the ‘hosts’ can trouble the Norwegian defence, but Solbakken’s fearsome attack will surely prove too potent as the Scandinavians make it two for two.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Israel vs Norway
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Both beaten on the opening matchday, Group J outsiders Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan will seek their first points in World Cup 2026 qualifying when they meet in Vaduz on Tuesday.
While the hosts lost at home to North Macedonia, their Kazakh counterparts left Wales empty-handed despite putting up a brave fight.
We say: Liechtenstein 0-2 Kazakhstan
After six straight competitive defeats, Kazakhstan can finally end their wait for success by winning in Liechtenstein.
The home side are always vulnerable at the back, so an experienced Kazakh attack should capitalise and secure maximum points.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Liechtenstein vs Kazakhstan
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Joint-top of the early Group J table, North Macedonia and Wales will lock horns in Skopje on Tuesday night, both aiming to make a perfect start to World Cup 2026 qualifying.
While the hosts swept aside little Liechtenstein on the opening matchday, their Welsh rivals saw off Kazakhstan.
We say: North Macedonia 1-1 Wales
Albeit against lower-ranked opponents, North Macedonia have been flying for several months now – and they boast several threats across the final third.
So, an improving Wales side will have to tread carefully away to one of their main Group J rivals, and they might end up being grateful to take one point.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: N. Macedonia vs Wales
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Locking horns for the very first time in a senior men’s international, Gibraltar and the Czech Republic will scrap it out in Tuesday’s World Cup 2026 Qualifying Group L battle at the Estadio Algarve.
The ‘hosts’ – who have set up camp in Portugal while their regular stadium undergoes redevelopment – were slain 3-1 by Montenegro in their opening battle, while the Czechs survived a scare to conquer the Faroe Islands 2-1.
We say: Gibraltar 0-4 Czech Republic
The Czechs may have made harder work of the Faroe Islands than they should have done, but Hasek’s men will surely not have to get out of third gear to stroll to victory on Tuesday.
Perennial whipping boys Gibraltar only know how to lose in World Cup Qualifying, and the midweek match should simply be a case of damage limitation from the first whistle for Wiseman’s men.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Gibraltar vs Czech Republic
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Leading the way in Group L of World Cup 2026 Qualifying, Montenegro aspire to make it two for two when the Faroe Islands visit the Gradski stadion in Niksic on Tuesday evening.
Robert Prosinecki’s survived an early scare to trump Gibraltar 3-1 in their opening battle, while the visitors’ valiant efforts were in vain in a 2-1 defeat to the Czech Republic.
We say: Montenegro 1-0 Faroe Islands
The Faroe Islands can keep things tight in defence with their safety-first 5-4-1 shape, and it took a pair of aerial efforts from Schick to get the Czechs over the line against Tuesday’s visitors.
However, Montenegro’s rearguard will surely be untroubled on their own patch, and the enviable quality of the likes of Marusic and Jovetic should prove telling in the end.
> World Cup Qualifying preview: Montenegro vs Faroe Islands
