In a decisive display of dominance, England became the first European nation to secure a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, clinching their qualification with a commanding 5-0 victory over Latvia on Tuesday. Captain Harry Kane led the charge with a first-half brace, solidifying England’s position at the top of their qualifying group with two matches remaining. Under the guidance of German coach Thomas Tuchel, the English squad has maintained an impeccable defensive record, conceding zero goals in six qualifying matches. Kane, who has netted a combined 21 goals for England and Bayern Munich this season, emphasized the team’s commitment to maintaining high standards regardless of the opponent. Meanwhile, Portugal’s path to qualification hit a snag as they conceded a stoppage-time equalizer against Hungary, resulting in a 2-2 draw in Lisbon. Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice to give Portugal a temporary lead, now holds the record for most goals in World Cup qualifiers with 41, surpassing Guatemala’s Carlos Ruiz. Despite the setback, Portugal remains in contention for a spot in the tournament. In other qualifying action, Italy secured at least a playoff berth with a 3-0 win over Israel, while Spain maintained their group lead with a 4-0 victory over Bulgaria.
England reaches 2026 World Cup by routing Latvia. Ronaldo and Portugal miss chance to clinch a spot
