Romania Hit Double Digits, Bulgaria Stay in Touch: Round 7 Now Puts Serbia on the Clock

After six rounds, Romania have turned Group A into a numbers game — and they’re winning it. They lead on 10 points with a ruthless 11–4 goal difference, powered by two statements that still shape the table: the 5–0 demolition of Czech Republic in Round 4, and last week’s controlled 3–1 win away in China. In that Round 6 result, Romania scored twice early through Pavel Marin (3’) and Jean Mindeac (11’), then killed the match late when Marin struck again (77’). Even China’s moment — a Valeriu Nedelea own goal (48’) — never truly shifted the balance, with Romania owning 71% possession and landing 10 shots on target.

Behind them, Bulgaria sit second on 8 points and look increasingly secure. They’ve followed their 4–0 thrashing of China in Round 5 with another clean, authoritative performance: a 2–0 win over Czech Republic in Round 6, built on 70% possession and an avalanche of 17 shots on target. Goals from Blago Enev (22’) and Ivaylo Stoitchkov (49’) did the damage, while captain Svetoslav Kostourkov again set the tone.

Round 7 now creates a fork in the group. Romania meet Serbia, who remain winless with 3 points from four matches and are running out of space after dropping points in a string of draws. Meanwhile, Czech Republic vs China is a survival match for two sides already leaking goals — Czech have conceded 11, China 10 — and the loser risks being cut adrift from the top-two race.

A Two-Headed Sprint: USA’s Goal Rush Meets Algeria’s Perfect Record

Group B reaches Round 7 with a rare tension: two teams are already playing at World Cup pace, and neither is blinking. The United States of America sit top on 12 points after five matches with a blistering 16–5 goal difference, fuelled by back-to-back statement wins — a ruthless 5–0 away sweep of Estonia and a 4–1 dismissal of Canada. The pattern is clear: the USA don’t need the ball to control the match. Against Canada they had just 31% possession but struck four times, with Roderick Woods landing an early double (6’, 31’) before Jay Ebert (44’) and Xander Arnett (66’) finished the job.

Right beside them, Algeria are matching the points with a game in hand — four wins from four, conceding just once (7–1 on goals). Their signature win remains the 2–0 away triumph over the USA in Round 3, built on control (60% possession) and clinical moments from I. Oussalah (26’) and A. Delhoum (49’), with goalkeeper Mohamed Abdel Zouani starring.

Round 7 brings immediate pressure to the chasing pack. Albania (5 points) can score — they’ve hit 10 already — but they also leak goals, proven again in the wild 3–3 draw in Estonia where Ervis Cela struck twice before a late equaliser. They now face the USA, while Canada (3 points) host Algeria knowing another defeat could make the top-two chase feel distant. With only the top two qualifying, Group B is becoming a straight duel — and everyone else is running out of runway.

Leaders Level on Points as Latvia Lurk: Round 7 Brings a True Pivot

Group C has tightened into a three-way chase, with Croatia and India locked together on 10 points, and Latvia stalking with 7 from four and a defensive record that still reads just two goals conceded. The mood shift came in Round 6: Croatia’s response to earlier stumbles was emphatic, a 5–0 demolition of Australia built around an unstoppable Ante Merdjan, who struck four times (14’, 48’, 49’ plus a first-half penalty through Vjekoslav Roko) as the pressure turned into a rout.

India, though, continue to look every inch a top-two side. They left Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 1–1 draw after conceding first, answering immediately through Parashuram Subramanium (13’). That point kept them level with Croatia and underlined their resilience after already proving they can win away at the very top — the earlier 2–0 victory in Croatia, powered by Aryaman Rai’s brace, still shapes the group’s psychology.

Round 7 sharpens the picture. India vs Latvia is the looming separator: Latvia’s efficiency has been ruthless, highlighted by the 3–0 win in Australia where they produced 30 shots and 20 on target, with Klavs Pastnieks and Vilhelms Nilzirgs doing the damage. Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina travel to Australia knowing they can’t afford drift — they’ve scored 7 already, but draws have slowed them. With only the top two qualifying, this round doesn’t just add points; it may decide who gets to keep dreaming in February.

Four-Way Traffic Jam Behind Iceland, With Italy Under Immediate Pressure

Group D has turned into a knife-edge race: Iceland lead on 10 points, but a single result can reshape everything behind them, where Moldova, Italy and South Africa are all packed on 7 (with Moldova still holding a game in hand). The recent pattern is clear — nobody is allowed a quiet week. Iceland have combined punch with recovery, overturning a 0–1 deficit to beat Moldova 2–1 late (goals at 78’ and 82’), then settling for a gritty 1–1 draw in South Africa where they dominated possession but had to rely on O. Egilsson to cancel out Smuts Janda’s opener.

Italy arrive for Round 7 knowing their margin for error has thinned. They’ve swung from a statement 3–2 win over Iceland to a damaging 0–2 loss against Moldova and a 0–1 setback in South Africa, before finally edging Thailand 1–0 via Gianmario Pisani (89’). That late strike stopped the bleed, but it didn’t move them out of the pack.

Now the schedule tightens the screw. Iceland vs Italy is a direct collision between the group leaders and the most decorated name here — and it comes with history, given Italy already proved they can hurt Iceland. Meanwhile Thailand vs Moldova offers a very different tension: Thailand have competed well in spells (including a late surge to draw 2–2 in Moldova), but with just 2 points they need something tangible. For Moldova, unbeaten away from home in the head-to-head with Italy and armed with an efficient front line led by Turcan, Round 7 is a chance to leapfrog into the qualifying places outright.

Switzerland Cruise, While Bangladesh Put the Heat on England

There’s a sense of order at the top of Group E — and a growing sense of urgency everywhere else. Switzerland have been relentless: 13 points from five matches, 16 scored, and just one conceded. They’ve won four straight since opening with a 2–0 over Slovakia, including the staggering 11–0 demolition of Finland and a pair of measured 1–0 wins over Bangladesh and Slovakia. Even when the pace slowed, the control didn’t — Jason Walter’s first-half strike in Slovakia was enough again, and the clean sheets keep piling up.

Behind them, the story is Bangladesh’s discipline and timing. With only 4 goals scored in four matches, they still sit second on 9 points because they’ve mastered the tight ones: a 1–0 over England, then another 1–0 in Finland. Abdullah Al Shakoor has repeatedly been the difference between pressure and panic, while Tariq Babu delivered the decisive moment in Round 3.

That leaves England in an awkward middle ground. They can look brilliant — the 6–0 opener against Finland and a controlled 2–0 away win there last time out — but the defeats to Bangladesh and Slovakia have dragged them into a scrap at 7 points, with Slovakia only a step behind on 6.

Round 7 sharpens the picture. England vs Bangladesh is no longer a headline game — it’s a referendum. England need revenge to reopen the race for second; Bangladesh need another low-margin result to turn pressure into separation. Meanwhile Switzerland vs Finland feels like a formality on paper, but Switzerland’s real target is bigger: keep the machine humming, and keep everyone else chasing shadows.

Ireland Hold Serve, Bolivia’s Firepower Keeps the Chase Alive

Group F has turned into a two-lane race, and neither front-runner is blinking. Ireland sit top on 12 points with a frightening mix of ruthlessness and control: the 7–2 demolition of Uruguay was the loudest statement of the group so far, and they followed it with a gritty 1–0 win in Chile and another narrow success over Hungary. Charles O’Brien has been a recurring safety net, while James O’Meara keeps popping up in the biggest moments — but Ireland’s mood is tempered by one major concern: Padraig Wilson’s bad injury in Round 4 could bite hard in the run-in.

Right behind them, Bolivia remain the most explosive side in the section. They’ve already hit 10 goals, and when the game opens up, they thrive — none more so than Vladimir Daher, who delivered a brace in Uruguay and then a hat-trick in the 3–2 thriller against them in Round 6. That result mattered: it kept Bolivia within touching distance at 10 points, and it also dragged Uruguay back into survival mode.

The middle is tight but tense. Chile have drawn with Uruguay and Bolivia, then finally found a breakthrough with a 2–1 win in Hungary to reach 5 points. Uruguay (4) and Hungary (3) have had flashes — Hungary even shocked Ireland early — but both have leaked too much to build momentum.

Round 7 has pressure everywhere. Uruguay vs Chile is a chance to climb into the conversation, while Hungary vs Bolivia feels like a test of resistance: can Hungary slow the Daher-led wave, or will Bolivia keep the title chase burning?

A Two-Team Sprint, and the Pressure Shifts to the Chasers

Four rounds in, Group G has split cleanly in two. Netherlands and Malta are level at the top on 8 points, both still unbeaten, and both looking increasingly comfortable in the role. The Dutch have mixed control with timely finishing — the away win in Sweden and the 3–1 over Portugal were the defining punches — while Malta’s story is built on stubborn structure and big moments, none bigger than taking four points from Portugal and Sweden while holding the Netherlands to a 0–0 in January.

That leaves Portugal and Sweden in a scrap where margins have already gone against them. Portugal’s early loss in Malta and the defeat in Rotterdam mean they arrive at Round 5 on 4 points with little room for another stumble. Sweden are worse off: 1 point from four games, and three narrow defeats have turned “unlucky” into “urgent.” Even the 1–1 draw in the Netherlands — rescued late after an own goal put them behind — couldn’t kickstart the climb.

Round 5 sets up perfectly. Sweden vs Portugal feels like a last call for the hosts: another defeat, and the gap to second place could become brutal. Meanwhile Malta vs Netherlands is a top-of-the-table chess match — Malta’s compact back line against the Dutch wing-driven pressure — with first place, and likely control of qualification, on the line.

Poland’s Perfect Start Leaves Everyone Else Fighting for Air

Four played, four won, eight scored and none conceded: Poland have turned Group H into a chase already. The statement wasn’t just the scorelines, it was the control — the 3–0 over Turkey on 08.01.2026 and another 3–0 against France a week later, with Piotr Matuszewski repeatedly setting the tone from the back. At this rate, first place isn’t being negotiated; it’s being taken.

Behind them, the picture is messy in the best way. Turkey sit second on 8 points, but they’ve drawn Russia twice and lost heavily to Poland, which makes Round 7 feel like a pressure test rather than a routine fixture. Colombia have been streaky — brilliant against France early, then shut out by Russia and Poland — before roaring back with a 3–2 win in France on 05.02.2026. That result keeps them alive at 6 points, but there’s no buffer left.

Russia, on 5 points, keep collecting narrow games: a draw with Turkey, a loss to Poland, then a late winner to beat Colombia and another draw in Turkey. They’re still right in the mix, but they now face the group’s coldest defense. And France are already in survival mode on 3 points after conceding 11 in five — even with their flashes in the 3–2 loss to Colombia, the holes have been costly.

Round 7 is a fork in the road. Colombia vs Turkey is essentially a race for second place momentum, while Russia vs Poland asks the big question: can anyone finally land a punch on Poland, or is the title race already over in practice?

Scotland’s Fine Margins Keep Them Top as Belgium Build Pressure

It hasn’t always been pretty, but Scotland have been relentless in the moments that decide groups. Unbeaten after five, they’ve paired structure with late-game nerve: the 1–1 draw against Belgium came after an early setback and a late penalty, and since then they’ve ground out consecutive 1–0 wins over Argentina and Israel to sit on 11 points with just two conceded. Alick Mabel and the back line have set the platform; Matthew Bremner has delivered the headline contributions when it matters.

Belgium are right behind on 10 and look the most complete attacking side in the section, scoring eight already. They’ve twice beaten South Korea in tight, tactical games, with Christopher Leroy and Jarno Maes providing decisive strikes, and Bellamy Poncelet continuing to post standout ratings. The problem is that the one slip — a 2–1 loss to Argentina — still hangs over them.

That upset is what keeps the bottom half alive. South Korea (6) have scored freely but leaked too much to stay in the top-two conversation, while Israel (4) finally found a win against Argentina before being shut out again. Argentina (3, with a game in hand) now face a defining stretch: they need points immediately, starting with Belgium.

Round 7 has clear stakes: Belgium vs Argentina is a must-response for the favorites, while Israel vs South Korea feels like last call for anyone still dreaming of a late surge.

Germany’s Seven-Goal Statement Blows the Race Wide Open

For five rounds, Group J has felt like a tug-of-war — until Germany turned it into a headline. The 7–0 demolition of Peru didn’t just swing goal difference, it rewrote the mood of the group: Wolfgang Dahnke ran riot with four goals, Nicolas Guenther added a brace, and Germany’s previously cautious campaign suddenly reads 9 scored, 4 conceded at the top on 8 points.

Peru are still level on points, but the collapse was brutal — a keeper rating of 3.0 and an early injury to Isidro Gomes left them chasing shadows. That’s a sharp contrast to the Peru who opened with a commanding 3–0 over Germany and later tore Lithuania apart 4–1 with a Josias Abril hat-trick burst. Their form is explosive; their floor is suddenly a concern.

The quiet danger remains Rep. of Montenegro (6 from 4, unbeaten). They’ve made a habit of low-scoring control — including a 90’ penalty to beat Lithuania and a 0–0 to frustrate Germany — and they still have a game in hand on the leaders.

Round 7 tests the nerves: Peru vs New Zealand looks like a response mission, while Lithuania vs Montenegro could decide whether the unbeaten outsiders stay in striking distance of first.

Denmark Flip the Script as the Chase Tightens Behind Them

The early picture in Group K was painted in Spanish colors, but five rounds in, Denmark have stormed to the front with a statement run: four wins from five, just two conceded, and the most convincing head-to-head swing of the section — a 2–0 shutout of Spain after losing the opener 2–1.

That revenge win felt decisive in tone as well as points. Denmark posted 69% possession and an astonishing 32 shots, with Ole Hansen and Gunnar Larsen striking two minutes apart to finally crack Spain’s usually stubborn 5-3-2. Larsen’s form has become a theme — he also delivered the double in the 2–0 over Venezuela.

Spain remain firmly in the hunt on 10 points, but the margins have thinned: they needed a single Macario Astorga finish to edge Greece, and they were held scoreless in a 0–0 that showcased Slovenia’s discipline — even after an early injury to Mario Retortillo disrupted Spain’s rhythm.

Slovenia are the live outsider (only 2 goals conceded in four matches) and now step into a defining stretch, while Venezuela arrive with renewed bite after back-to-back wins over Greece, albeit with Hector Nieto leaving the last match injured.

Round 7 raises the stakes immediately: Spain vs Slovenia is a direct duel for second, while Venezuela vs Denmark is the kind of trap fixture that can turn a group lead into a scramble.

Japan’s Attack Sparks, Norway Roar Back, and the Middle Turns into a Knife Fight

Five games in, Group L has the feel of a section that refuses to settle. Japan sit top on 8 points with the best goal output in the group (9), but the chase pack is tight: Norway and Austria are both on 7, while Brazil lurk with 6 from four matches — a reminder that one swing can rewrite everything.

Japan’s recent surge has been built on tempo and finishing. They followed a 3–1 win over Brazil with a ruthless 3–0 away dismantling of Mexico, helped by an early red card but powered by Hikozaemon Kajiwara (two goals) and Nobuyoshi Kamon. Behind it all, Yuifum Yamakawa has been consistently elite between the posts, earning top billing again in the win over Brazil.

Norway, meanwhile, have recovered from a shaky opening — including a loss to Austria and a scoreless showing against Brazil — by finding their edge. The 4–0 demolition of Austria was the loudest response yet, with early strikes setting the tone and Eivind Mortensen dictating the match.

Austria’s position is suddenly fragile: wins over Norway and Mexico are now offset by a heavy defeat and a defense that has conceded 8. Brazil are the wild card — brilliant against Norway, stunned by Mexico, then outgunned by Japan.

Round 7 is a pressure test at both ends: Norway vs Brazil is a direct battle for second, while Japan vs Austria could either loosen Japan’s grip on first or pull Austria back into true contention.

Three-way deadlock at the top leaves Group A one slip away from chaos

Five rounds in, Group A has its shape — and none at all. Czech Republic, Malta and Sweden are level on 10 points, each with the same 3–1–1 record, and the sixth matchday did nothing to separate them. Sweden’s 0–0 draw away to Germany looked routine on paper, but the shot volume (15 attempts, seven on target) and another commanding display from Alexander Forsberg showed they’re still playing at contender tempo even when the goals dry up.

The same can be said of the leaders. Czech Republic and Malta traded blows in a 1–1 stalemate that felt like a mini play-off: Tomasek Surovec struck first on 50 minutes, only for Kieran Curmi to answer eight minutes later. Both keep their heads above the pack — but neither found the clean break they wanted.

Now the pressure shifts to the bottom of the table, where Germany (4 pts) and Bulgaria (0 pts) are running out of calendar. Bulgaria have yet to score, and with Sweden next, this is already a defining window. For Malta and Sweden, there’s a different kind of urgency: with the top three locked together, every dropped point is a gift.

Norway lead the way, but Group B is one big swing away from a rewrite

Norway have earned the right to set the pace — and they’ve done it the hard way. Four matches, 10 points, and an attack that’s already hit 12 goals, capped by that wild 4–3 win over Japan where Kåre Bakk completed a hat-trick and still had time to pick up a booking. The table says control; the performances say Norway are comfortable living on the edge.

Behind them, the Netherlands have steadied after being blown away 4–1 in Norway. Since then they’ve put Japan to the sword 3–0 and ground out a 0–0 in South Africa, with Jef Tuin twice putting up man-of-the-match-level goalkeeping to keep seven points on the board. It’s not always pretty, but it’s keeping the chase alive.

South Africa sit on four points and look like the group’s disruptor-in-waiting: they scored four past Japan, then proved they can lock games down by holding the Dutch scoreless. With Bafana Moatshe repeatedly posting elite ratings, they’ve got the spine to punish anyone who switches off.

Japan, bottom on one point, are far more dangerous than their record suggests — they’ve scored six but also conceded 12, and discipline is starting to bite (Akihiko Tokaji’s late red card still hangs in the air). Next up, though, is the pivot: Netherlands–Norway for first place pressure, and Japan–South Africa for survival momentum. In a four-team group, that’s as close to a double-header of fate as it gets.

Argentina stay in front, but Group C is still one hot week from chaos

Argentina have done what contenders are supposed to do: keep winning even when the script gets messy. They sit top on 12 points from five matches, and the recent 2–1 victory in India underlined the pattern — absorb long spells without the ball, then strike with clinical timing. Michele Ferrer Serrano continues to feel like the hinge of the whole side, while Daniel Ruiz De Los Llanos has quietly turned tight moments into clean exits.

India remain the most credible pressure behind them on nine points, and they’ve earned that position with substance, not noise: a 2–0 away win in Belgium and a controlled 2–0 over Algeria that only opened up after Hafid Oukil’s red card. Mandeep Shah has been the group’s pulse — goals, influence, and the kind of match ratings that usually come with qualification campaigns.

Belgium, former champions in living memory, are still stuck in the middle lane at six points with a game in hand — good enough to hover, not enough to breathe. They’ve shown they can score in bursts (three in nine minutes to stun Algeria), but they were also shut out by India and managed only four goals across four matches.

That leaves Bangladesh and Algeria locked on four points each, and both know the margins are thinning fast. Bangladesh already proved they can bite the leader (2–1 over Argentina) and just held Algeria 1–1 away — results that keep them awkward, alive, and dangerous.

Round 7 has a clean split: the leaders face an Algeria side that hasn’t found consistency, while Bangladesh–Belgium is a straight fight for relevance. With the top two spots in play, this is the week where “still in it” becomes either a push or a sentence.

Slovakia lead without sprinting, and Group D’s draw merchants are starting to run out of road

Five games in, Slovakia are top of Group D on nine points — undefeated, tidy, and stubbornly hard to separate from their plan. It’s not flashy, but it’s built on a platform that keeps holding: Michal Maliarik has been outstanding (two straight 10.0 man-of-the-match displays earlier in the group), and the back line led by Miroslav Ivanov and Erik Tichy rarely gives up cheap chances. Even the latest 1–1 with Finland followed the same script: absorb, strike through Martin Dano, and live with the point.

Ireland are right on their shoulder with eight points, and their response to the earlier slip in Switzerland (a 0–2 loss after Graham O’Connolly saw red) was emphatic: a 2–0 win over Israel driven by Mark O’Doherty and a midfield that finally looked in control for 90 minutes. They’ve also shown they can hurt Finland (3–1) and survive late drama (1–1 with Slovakia).

Behind them, Finland sit third on six points, still alive but stuck in low-scoring traffic — just three goals in five matches. The defensive base is real, though, and Eetu Repomem has repeatedly carried matches with elite ratings.

Round 7 feels like a hinge. Finland–Switzerland is a straight opportunity to turn “steady” into “serious,” while Israel hosting Slovakia is the test of whether Israel’s 4–0 demolition of Switzerland was a one-off roar or the start of a rescue mission. With only the top two going through, draws are no longer a safe place to hide.

Turkey lead the pile-up, but Group E’s punchers keep landing — and Serbia arrive with receipts

Turkey sit top on 10 points, yet nothing about Group E feels settled. They’ve won three of five, and when their attack catches fire it comes in waves — just ask Peru, who were clipped 2–1 in Lima by a Hakan Gunerman double. But the same Turkey that can be ruthless also keeps leaving the door ajar: a 3–3 at Canada after conceding a first-minute penalty and a 3–0 shot deficit in Albania before surviving on a single Nihat Oncu finish. They’re leading, not escaping.

Serbia, on eight points, are the immediate threat — and their trend line is rising. After losing in Peru on opening day, they’ve taken points off everyone else and showed real bite when it mattered: two late Velibor Ljubanovic strikes to beat Turkey 2–1, then a statement 2–1 over Peru sealed by Samuilo Dulic and Jugoslav Matkovic. The back line can still wobble (that 3–3 in Canada), but the engine room keeps producing chances — and Vasilj Gugleta is coming off a man-of-the-match display.

Peru are right there on seven, explosive but inconsistent: a 2–1 win over Serbia, a 2–1 away win in Canada, then a costly home loss to Turkey and another to Serbia. Quentin Huaringa has been immense between the posts, and Alonso Rodas plus Igon Rubio give them a cutting edge that can flip any match.

That’s why Round 7 feels pivotal. Turkey–Serbia is a direct shot at control: Serbia can jump them with the right result, while Turkey can finally build daylight. Peru–Albania is equally loaded — because with only the top two going through, Peru can’t afford another “almost” night, and Albania’s two points demand a first win to keep the maths alive.

Slovenia’s goal machine keeps humming — but the chase is getting personal in Group F

Slovenia are still unbeaten and still outrageous: 13 points, a staggering 28 goals scored, and enough firepower to turn any match into a landslide. The 16–1 demolition of Spain set the tone, the 5–3 win over Bolivia proved they can trade punches, and even a rare wobble — the 2–2 draw in Estonia — felt more like a warning shot than a slowdown. With Andrej Novoselc and Jaka Tomsek headlining and Niko Varl repeatedly changing games off the bench, Slovenia don’t just win — they overwhelm.

Behind them, Thailand are the clear challengers on 9 points, but their story has been anything but linear. They opened with an 8–0 statement against Spain, then got hit hard by Bolivia, and have since responded with more mature wins — including a 2–1 away result in Spain driven again by Niraphan Ekabut. The question now is consistency: Thailand can look electric, but they can also be dragged into uncomfortable rhythms.

Bolivia sit on 6 points with a game in hand, and they’ve already shown they can swing the table: that 4–0 over Thailand wasn’t a fluke, and their attack has real bite. Their problem is control — they’ve conceded 5 in Ljubljana and left themselves very little margin.

Round 7 sharpens everything. Slovenia face Spain again knowing the top spot is theirs to lose, while Thailand–Bolivia is a direct fight for second. If Bolivia win, the group turns into a pressure cooker; if Thailand win, they can start looking up — and dreaming about catching the runaway leaders.

Brazil are turning Group G into a one-team exhibition — the real drama is the scramble underneath

Brazil have been utterly merciless: 5 wins from 5, an absurd 30–1 goal record, and the sort of weekly scorelines that make the rest of the group feel like they’re playing for second place before kickoff. The 22–0 opening-day obliteration of Lithuania set the tone, and even when matches tightened, Brazil still found clean, controlled wins — including a measured 1–0 in Lithuania and a professional 2–0 against Romania. With Venancio Ligeirinho constantly at the center of everything and Deyvid Terra providing decisive moments, Brazil have looked untouchable.

That leaves a messy, tense pack behind them. Latvia sit second on 6 points despite scoring just 5 — they’ve lived on compact structure, huge goalkeeping from Luka Svarcs, and late-game resilience. Lithuania are also on 5 points, which tells its own story: after shipping 22 in one match, they’ve clawed back respectability with a win over Romania and a goalless draw with Uruguay. Romania (4 points) have shown real punch — especially the 4–1 over Uruguay powered by Andrei Georgescu’s hat-trick — but they’ve also lacked the defensive certainty Latvia have found.

Round 7 is where the “best of the rest” race can flip. Romania–Lithuania is a direct six-pointer for momentum, while Brazil–Uruguay threatens to become another harsh lesson unless Uruguay can find a way to slow the game and survive the first wave.

Group H is tightening: Portugal lead, England stalk — and Italy are suddenly a live contender

Portugal have done just enough to stay on top, but it’s been anything but comfortable. After that wild opening slip against France (a rare moment of chaos in a usually controlled side), they’ve steadied the ship with narrow wins and a gritty draw in Italy. Matias Couteiro has become their early-strike specialist — his sixth-minute winner against France in Round 6 felt like a statement of maturity — while Olavo Chaves continues to tilt the pitch in Portugal’s favor whenever the game gets tense.

England are right there, and the pattern is clear: when they click, they suffocate. They shut out Scotland in Round 1, then dismantled France 3–0 with Reginald Alfredson running riot. But their discipline has flirted with danger — the red card in Italy cost them rhythm, and they needed a late response to escape Scotland with a point. Still, with Braeden Wallace and Cedric Brasher repeatedly posting monster ratings, England look built for the run-in.

The sleeping giant is Italy. With a game in hand and goals flowing in that 5–2 win over France, they’ve shifted from “stubborn” to “threat.” Galtero Bianchi has been a wall, and the Silvestri–Cappalletto punch gives them real upside if they can keep games under control.

Round 7 matters immediately: England–Italy is a direct collision for second, while France–Scotland is survival territory for a French side that’s leaked goals and can’t afford another setback.

Iceland are perfect — but Group I has turned into a scrap behind them

Iceland have been the division’s cleanest story: four played, four won, and they’ve done it without needing chaos. The early punch is becoming a habit — Sigmar Larusson scored after two minutes to sink Montenegro, and captain Aron Ingi Hakonarson has been the difference-maker when games tighten, striking twice in Korea and again to break the USA. With Bjarki Bjarnason repeatedly putting up elite ratings, Iceland look built to finish this off with control rather than drama.

The race behind them is where the noise is. Montenegro opened with a 6–0 demolition of South Korea, then hit turbulence: a red card cost them in Iceland, and they’ve since been blanked again by Korea. Still, they’re second — and they’ve got enough bite through Svetislav Ivanovic and the spine led by Dusan Stankovic to keep anyone uncomfortable.

South Korea are the wild card: smashed in Round 1, then suddenly ruthless when it mattered — beating both USA and Montenegro. Soon Hyun Do has been outstanding even in defeat, and with Woo Keun Ryu setting the tempo, they’re one streak away from hijacking second place.

Round 7 is brutal: Venezuela–Korea is a must-score night for the hosts, while Montenegro–Iceland is a pressure test — not just of Iceland’s record, but of whether Montenegro can still punch upward instead of sideways.

Denmark keep finding a way — and now the fight is for “best of the rest”

Denmark have turned Group J into their personal routine: five wins from five, and even the one night they looked vulnerable, they still walked out smiling. The 4–3 over Poland was the clearest snapshot of it — Denmark absorbed pressure, hit the big moments, and leaned on the same spine that’s carried them all campaign: Kasper Terp behind it, Noah Eskildsen up front, and Jesper Petersen doing damage in bursts (including that Round 3 hat-trick to sink Croatia). They’re not always pretty, but they’re relentlessly clinical when games tilt.

Behind the leaders, it’s chaos in slow motion. Poland are second, but they’ve been wildly elastic: brilliant in the 3–0 dismantling of Australia, then beaten in a seven-goal thriller by Denmark despite Boleslaw Wejman smashing a hat-trick of his own. If Poland tighten the back door, they can secure qualification; if not, they’ll keep inviting someone to pounce.

Australia remain the most dangerous “quiet” team in the group — only four played, and they’ve already shown they can win ugly (1–0 Croatia) and strike hard (3–0 Colombia). Croatia, meanwhile, are living two seasons at once: humiliated 0–9 by Colombia, but now rebuilt into a side capable of taking points off Poland and punching Colombia 3–0 away.

Round 7 is pressure football: Croatia–Australia is a direct fight for momentum, while Poland–Colombia feels like a must-win for both if they want this finish to mean something.

Moldova’s machine keeps rolling — and the chase turns into a shootout

Moldova have built the most ruthless résumé in Group K: unbeaten, 13 points from 15, and a defence that’s basically stopped existing as an opponent’s idea (just one goal conceded). Even when they weren’t perfect — the 1–1 draw with Austria — they still looked like the side everyone is solving, not matching. With Steopa Cernalevscaia, Cornel Amarandei and Dmitrii Bacataru all delivering in big moments, Moldova’s wins have come in different flavours: narrow control in Sarajevo, a clean 2–0 over Russia, then another measured 2–0 against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Behind them, the table lies a bit. Russia sit second, but it’s been feast-or-famine: 7–0 and 10–1 demolition jobs were loud, yet the 0–0 with Bosnia and the 0–2 loss in Moldova exposed a side that can be frustrated if the early goal doesn’t arrive. Austria, meanwhile, might be the group’s strangest case: unbeaten and with 19 goals scored in four games, powered by that outrageous 17–0, but still only third because draws have clogged the pipe.

Round 7 has two very different tests. Bosnia–Greece is a chance for the hosts to keep contact with the qualifying places without needing a track meet. Russia–Austria, though, feels like the swing match of the group: the blunt force of Russia against Austria’s high-volume attack, with Moldova watching the chaos and smiling.

Group L turns into a goalstorm — and suddenly everyone’s vulnerable

The top of Group L is balanced on a knife-edge: Hungary lead on 10, but Chile are right behind on 9 — and neither looks remotely comfortable. Hungary’s case is built on control and timely punch: wins over Mexico and China set the tone, the 1–1 with New Zealand hinted at a wobble, then the 4–0 statement in Mexico came with chaos attached — an early red card for the hosts, then Hungary’s own dismissal, yet they still found room to run away with it.

Chile have been the group’s most volatile entertainment. They opened by wiping out China 5–0 and followed with that wild 4–3 in New Zealand despite playing the last half-hour with ten men. But Mexico dragged them into a 4–2 shootout, and China just flipped the script again with a 3–2 comeback. For all the goals, Tristan Diaz De Loria has been the constant spark — even in defeat — while Hungary’s Alex Simon remains the cleanest “big-game” finisher in the section.

Round 7 offers two pressure tests. Chile–New Zealand is a déjà vu fixture after the seven-goal classic, but this time Chile need points more than spectacle. Hungary–China is the real temperature check: China have already put five past Mexico and three past Chile, and if they land another punch, this group stops being a two-horse race entirely.

Lithuania set the pace, but Group A is turning into a four-way squeeze

Lithuania have moved themselves into pole position on 9 points, and the statement was emphatic: a 4–1 dismantling of Argentina built around Marcelis Skroblas’ brace and a ruthless edge in the second half. With Australia, China and Finland all parked on 7, the leaders know Round 7 is less about style and more about keeping separation.

Finland come into their meeting with Argentina with real momentum after winning in China, turning an early deficit into a 2–1 comeback powered by Reijo Nissinen (goal and man of the match) and a decisive finish from Moituus Hamalainen. Argentina, meanwhile, have shown they can dig in — the 0–0 in China proved that — but their collapse against Lithuania leaves them chasing from 4 points.

The other headline fixture pits Lithuania against Australia, who still have a game in hand and already showed their ceiling with a 4–0 rout of Argentina featuring Chad Parsons’ hat-trick. Lithuania’s lead is real, but in this group, one result can redraw the whole qualification picture.

Perfect USA face the only team still in touching distance

United States of America have turned Group B into a chase, not a race: five wins from five and a clear cushion at the top. Their latest statement was brutally efficient — just four shots on target, three goals in a 3–1 win away to Austria, with Jorge Martino again the difference-maker after scoring early and earning man of the match. The numbers say dominance; the rhythm says a side that knows exactly when to strike.

But Round 7 finally offers the leaders a proper measuring stick. Moldova are the only team still realistically in the conversation on 9 points, and they arrive sharpened by a 4–1 response against South Africa — a match that also came with a concern, as Maxim Timbur went off injured after another standout performance. Moldova have already shown they can put the USA under pressure, pulling within a goal late in their earlier 3–2 defeat after trailing 3–0.

Elsewhere, the bottom end is tightening. South Africa and Uruguay meet with both desperate to stop the slide — Uruguay still winless, South Africa trying to rediscover the defensive edge that once earned them a narrow victory in Round 2. In a group where the top two qualify, this round could either revive the battle for second, or all but settle it.

Ruzicka blow reshapes the Group C title race — and maybe the qualifiers

Group C has been a sprint at the top, but it now comes with a limp. Czech republic still lead on 12 points, yet their authority took a heavy hit in Round 4’s key clash in the Netherlands — not just the 3–1 defeat, but the sight of Roman Ruzicka suffering a bad injury that is expected to rule him out for the rest of the season. For a team that had already beaten Hungary 3–0 and handled Spain away, losing their captain and standout performer changes everything about the run-in.

The immediate beneficiaries are a Netherlands side sitting just two points back on 10, and still remarkably clinical when it matters. They followed that statement win by edging Spain 2–1 away, with Marcel Vissers and Albert Van Dam turning the game after falling behind — and Gerlof Versteeg continuing to post elite ratings from the right flank.

Round 7 adds pressure in different ways. The Dutch face an Estonia team that has been stubborn all campaign: a draw with the Netherlands, a 2–0 win over Hungary, and only 4 conceded in four matches. Meanwhile, Czech republic meet a Spain side still stuck on one point and leaking goals, but one that has at least shown fight — scoring first against the Netherlands before being reeled in.

With the top two qualifying, this round feels like a fork: either the Czech hold their nerve without Ruzicka, or the Netherlands turn the table into a full-blown takeover attempt.

Croatia set the pace, but Group D’s real fight is for second

Croatia have turned Group D into a weekly reminder of authority: five wins from five, a brutal 17–3 goal difference, and a perfect 15 points. They’ve beaten everyone put in front of them — including a 3–0 shutout of Russia and a commanding 4–0 over Peru — with Alberto Dracar repeatedly headlining big nights and the back line rarely giving opponents oxygen.

That dominance has sharpened the real storyline: who claims the second qualifying place. Russia sit second on 7 points, but they look anything but secure. After stumbling in Zagreb and losing in Lima, they were then held 2–2 by bottom side Slovakia — a warning sign for a team that still concedes too many key chances.

Chile are waiting to pounce with 6 points from four matches and a gaudy 15 goals scored, boosted by the extraordinary 10–0 demolition of Slovakia in Round 4. Yet their profile is extreme: breathtaking going forward, but exposed when games turn chaotic, as the 4–3 loss to Croatia showed. Peru also have 6 points, but their attack has sputtered to just four goals in five, leaving them living on fine margins.

Round 7 is a stress test on both fronts. Peru need to slow Chile’s momentum, while Russia welcome the group leaders knowing a result could finally draw a line under the chasing pack — or invite them right back into the race.

Poland keep the pace, England respond — and Germany are suddenly under pressure

Group E is tight at the top, but it’s not chaotic — it’s calculated. England lead on 10 points with a controlled 11–4 goal record, recovering sharply from the opening 0–3 loss to Germany by stacking results and clean sheets. The latest statement was the 2–0 win over Germany, Dwight Nye’s brace underlining how clinical England have become when games tilt in their favour.

Poland are level on points with a game in hand, and their profile screams contenders: unbeaten, defensively strong (3 conceded in 4), and already winners over Germany 4–1. With Janusz Dyner setting the tone and Aleksander Ogonowski delivering decisive moments, Poland don’t need long spells of control to hurt teams — they just need the right 10 minutes.

The squeeze is on Germany. They’re still on 9 points, but back-to-back defeats to Poland and England have turned early momentum into a must-hold position. The problem isn’t effort — Dirk Meyer has posted monster ratings even in defeats — it’s that Germany’s edge in the boxes has gone missing.

Behind them, Algeria are very much alive on 6 points after convincing wins over Bosnia and Herzegovina, while Bosnia remain without a point and badly need damage limitation in the run-in.

Round 7 has two obvious questions: can Poland land the next punch in the heavyweight clash with Germany, and can England avoid any slip in a fixture they’ll be expected to control?

Sweden steady the ship, Iceland roar into the title picture

Group F has turned into a two-team chase, and it’s getting sharper by the week. Sweden sit top on 10 points, and they’ve done it the hard way: a loss in the opener to France, then a reset built on control and timing. The back-to-back 3–1 wins over Malta and France showed the pattern — absorb, accelerate, punish — with Brian Adamssen increasingly the difference-maker and Sweden conceding just four across five games.

The real heat, though, comes from Iceland. After that freak opener in Scotland decided by an own goal, they’ve become one of the most reliable sides in the section: unbeaten in four since, and the emphatic 4–1 win away to France was the loudest result anyone has produced. Gudmundur Karl Soelvason has been the pillar, while the group is learning that Iceland don’t need domination — they need moments.

Behind the leaders, Malta have proved they can bite (notably the 2–1 win over France), but inconsistency keeps them in the pack. France, meanwhile, are living dangerously: capable of beating Sweden once, yet already conceding 10 and now facing a must-win stretch just to stay relevant. Scotland have grafted their way to four points, but the margin for error is almost gone.

Round 7 sets up the pivot: Sweden meet Iceland in a direct test for first place, while France face Malta knowing another slip could turn their campaign into pure damage control.

Portugal set the pace, but the chase has teeth

Group G has a clear front-runner — and a very real fight behind it. Portugal are unbeaten and top on 13 points, built on control, discipline, and a back line that has conceded just two in five matches. The statement was the 2–0 win over Switzerland, and the follow-up 4–1 against Ireland confirmed the depth: different scorers, same authority. With Sergio Pacos delivering big moments and Eusebio Viana repeatedly dictating the tone, Portugal look like the side everyone is chasing — and the one least likely to blink.

Switzerland remain second on 10, but the picture is less tidy after a wild 3–3 draw in Mexico. They can score in bursts (13 goals already), yet they’re suddenly leaky, and the margins at the top are shrinking fast.

The most dangerous disruptor is Latvia. Still with a game in hand, they’ve shown they can compete with anyone — the 1–1 draw in Portugal was no accident, and their earlier 3–0 over Ireland carried real punch, powered by the influence of Edzus Januss and the finishing of Kajs Lerga.

At the bottom, Mexico have improved without getting paid (two draws, three losses), while Ireland keep finding ways to score — but not to stop the bleeding.

Round 7 is a turning point: Switzerland get another crack at Portugal, and Latvia have a chance to turn pressure into points against a struggling Ireland.

A three-way deadlock — and nobody’s blinking

Group H has turned into a knife-edge race: Norway, Romania and Italy are all locked on 10 points, and the margins are now being measured in clean sheets, not flair. Norway sit top thanks to a miserly defence (just two conceded), but the 0–0 with Romania in Round 6 showed how quickly control can turn into stalemate when the stakes rise.

Romania have built their platform the hard way: back-to-back wins to open the group, then a grinding draw in Norway. With Ferdinand Tecuta scoring and setting the tone and George Garz consistently among the standout performers, they look like a side that won’t gift anyone an easy phase of play.

Italy have been the most volatile of the contenders — capable of blowing teams away (that 4–2 in Colombia, driven by a Valentino Maddalena hat-trick), but also capable of being shut down completely (the 0–3 loss to Norway). The 2–2 draw with South Korea was a warning: dominance isn’t enough if the game-state turns.

Below the trio, Colombia finally found oxygen with a 1–0 win over South Korea, but they’re still chasing from distance and can’t afford another open-guard afternoon. South Korea, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win — yet their comeback to draw in Italy suggests they can still decide this group if the leaders lose focus.

Round 7 brings immediate pressure: Romania can’t slip against Colombia, while Norway will expect efficiency — not drama — versus South Korea.

Brazil are rolling — but Albania have found a puncher’s chance

Brazil have set the tone in Group I with an unbeaten start and a ruthless edge in both boxes: 12 scored, 3 conceded, and two emphatic wins over Bangladesh underline the gap they can open when their front line clicks. Elias Menino and Walison Teixeira have been the headline acts — Teixeira’s early hat-trick in Round 1 announced Brazil’s firepower, while Menino has kept delivering with decisive contributions across the campaign.

But the chase has sharpened. Albania arrive into the next phase with real momentum after a statement 2–0 win over Denmark, driven again by Besar Petrela — now the group’s most reliable finisher, with goals in each of Albania’s biggest moments. They’ve shown they can absorb pressure in a compact shape, and that matters with Brazil next on the docket.

Denmark are still stuck in draw-land, and their problem is turning good spells into goals. They held Brazil to 1–1 and have the structure to control games, but now need a sharper end product to avoid being squeezed out of second. For Bangladesh, the points tally is thin, yet the 2–2 in Albania and the draw with Denmark prove they can punish lapses — especially if set pieces and transitions fall their way.

With only a few matches left, Brazil can nearly seal it; behind them, it’s turning into a two-team scrap with Denmark under pressure to respond immediately.

Belgium respond in style as Serbia keep the pressure on

Belgium sit top of Group J on 12 points, and their response to the setback in Serbia has been emphatic. Back-to-back wins over Israel and Canada, scoring six and conceding just one, have restored authority. Jean Leclercq and David Bourgeois continue to deliver decisive goals, while captain Thomas Maes anchors a defence that has conceded only five in six outings.

Serbia, however, are very much in the hunt with 9 points from four matches. Their commanding 3–1 victory over Belgium and the narrow win in Canada underline their efficiency. Zlatoje Desnica and Nebojsa Rapo have provided cutting edge, and with a game in hand they control their own destiny.

Behind the top two, the fight for relevance intensifies. Israel reignited their campaign with a stunning 4–1 dismantling of Japan, while Canada remain competitive despite narrow defeats. Japan, after a bright opening-day win, now face a defining stretch.

Round 7 brings immediate tension: Japan must contain Serbia’s firepower, while Canada and Israel clash in what could be a decisive battle for third. With direct meetings between Belgium and Serbia still to come, the group’s hierarchy is far from settled.

Thailand’s perfect march turns Group K into a chase for second

Thailand have taken total control: five wins from five, 16 goals scored, and just two conceded. Even the tighter nights have ended the same way — three straight one-goal wins over Turkey and Bulgaria, plus a gritty comeback test against India, have shown they can win with swagger or patience. Chalermpol Kulchatchai remains the headline act after that jaw-dropping 10–0 demolition of Greece, and Thailand’s back line has rarely been asked uncomfortable questions.

Behind them, the race is brutal. Turkey sit second on 7 points, but their form has swung wildly: a 7–0 opener against Greece and a late win in Bulgaria were followed by a stall against India and then a damaging defeat to a resurgent Greece. Bulgaria are lurking with 6 points from four, built on clean-sheet discipline and the kind of efficiency that can steal places late.

India have shown they can score in bursts — the 6–3 win over Greece proved that — yet they’re still searching for consistency in the tighter matches. Greece, after managerial chaos and heavy defeats, finally have direction again and will treat every fixture now as a statement of recovery.

Round 7 sharpens everything: Turkey–Bulgaria feels like a direct playoff for second, while Thailand’s machine looks primed to keep rolling.

Slovenia keep blasting away — but the real fight is tightening behind them

Slovenia are turning Group L into a weekly demonstration: five wins from five, 16 goals scored, and a calm sense that they can win any type of game. They opened with a ruthless 4–0 against Venezuela (with a perfect 10 shots on target), then showed their steel by edging Montenegro 1–0 away, before ripping New Zealand apart 5–2 and handling Bolivia 4–1 in a match that felt like a statement. Klavdij Mlakar has been the face of it — a hat-trick against New Zealand and then four more against Bolivia — while the back line keeps giving Sandi Likar a platform to shine.

Behind the leaders, it’s tense. Bolivia and Rep. of Montenegro both sit on 9 points, but their routes have been very different: Bolivia’s attack can explode (10 goals in four games), yet they’ve also conceded 7 and were put in their place by Slovenia. Montenegro have leaned on their keeper Budimir Zecevic, twice hitting a perfect 10.0 rating even in narrow contests — the kind of backbone that keeps them alive in tight races.

New Zealand have been chaotic but entertaining — scoring 8 despite just one win — while Venezuela remain winless and are still searching for a way to turn possession into points.

Round 7 has a clear edge: Bolivia can pressure from the side, but Slovenia–Montenegro is the one with real table-shaping weight — unbeaten machine versus the group’s most stubborn resistance.

Peru keep the edge, Spain finally breathe — Group A sets up a nervous finish

Group A is back from its short break with the qualification picture sharpening fast: Peru have moved to nine points and, for now, control their own destiny, while Mexico and Bulgaria remain in striking distance. Spain, winless no more, have at least stopped the bleeding.

Peru’s response to the earlier 1–0 slip against Mexico was emphatic enough on the scoreboard, if not always calm in the details. They beat Bulgaria 3–1 through a double from Quinten Febres and another from Saturnin Renteria, but still had to navigate a late wobble after Belmiro Yalico saw red. Even so, Peru’s attack continues to separate them from the pack — they now boast 14 goals scored in four matches.

Elsewhere, Mexico and Spain shared a 1–1 draw that felt bigger for the outsiders. Spain struck early through Endika Nogal and were then carried by Baldomero Leao, named man of the match as they earned their first point. Mexico, again, leaned on Isaac Morales — his goal kept them steady at seven points.

Now the tension ramps up. With two World Cup places available, Peru can all but seal it next, while Mexico and Bulgaria head toward a potential head-to-head that could decide everything.

Latvia won’t blink — but the second ticket is suddenly up for grabs in Group B

After six rounds, Latvia have turned Group B into their own private runway. Unbeaten at 13 points with an 11–4 goal difference, the group leaders keep finding ways to win even when the game script flips — and their 1–1 draw in South Korea, achieved with just 30% possession, felt like another statement rather than a stumble.

That point also widened the gap behind them, because the chase pack keeps tripping over itself. Poland, three-time world champions, looked briefly in danger after losing 1–0 to South Korea earlier in the campaign, but they have steadied with a ruthless 2–0 win in Slovakia. Leon Prokopowicz broke the game open and Bernard Trebaczkiewicz finished it, while Adam Wojcik anchored the back line and took man of the match.

Slovakia are now stuck in the squeeze at six points, their momentum from beating Algeria undone by missed chances and another yellow-card wobble through Jan Mraz. South Korea, meanwhile, remain awkward opponents — they held Algeria, beat Poland, and then took a draw off Latvia — but those results still leave them on five points.

Round 7 sharpens the picture. Latvia face Slovakia with a chance to all but lock up qualification, while Poland get the opportunity to punish an Algeria side still searching for its first win. With two World Cup places available, it’s Latvia clear — and chaos behind.

Group C hits its pressure point: Lithuania’s lead tested, Argentina’s revival collides with Belgium

Group C has spent weeks daring someone to take control — and Lithuania have answered louder than anyone. Four wins from five and an imposing 13–4 goal difference keep them top on 12 points, even after the first real wobble: a 3–0 defeat to Argentina that snapped their momentum and came with a costly moment early, when Eduardas Pacevicius went off injured after just 13 minutes.

That result flipped the mood of the entire group. Argentina, thrashed 5–0 by Lithuania in Round 1 and dismantled 4–0 by the USA, suddenly look like contenders again. They followed up by edging India 2–1 with Nazareno Vaca pulling strings, then produced their most complete performance of the campaign to beat Lithuania — a display sealed by goals from Gerard Rivero, L. Zenarruza y Gil, and Rizo Patrón Barúa.

The other headline is the looming heavyweight meeting at the top. USA sit on 9 points from four, still buoyed by that ruthless four-goal surge in Argentina, and now face Lithuania in what feels like a direct fight for control of the group’s first World Cup ticket. Lithuania already proved they can hurt the Americans — winning 1–0 away with just 35% possession — but the stakes are higher now, and the table is tighter.

Elsewhere, Belgium finally steadied with a 2–0 win in India, yet remain on 4 points and can’t afford another slip. Their Round 7 clash with a resurgent Argentina is the kind of game that decides who still has oxygen in the qualifying race.

Group D’s question isn’t who tops it — it’s who survives the chase

Germany have turned Group D into a weekly demonstration. Five wins from five, 16 goals scored, and the only perfect record in the section have them sitting on 15 points with the finish line in sight. They’ve beaten everyone in the bottom half convincingly — including two clean-sheet wins over Sweden (3–0 at home, 3–0 away) — and even their toughest night ended in triumph, a breathless 4–3 over New Zealand powered by a brace from Cajus Kersten and another statement from Sascha Heichele.

That leaves the real drama behind them. New Zealand are in pole position for the second World Cup spot on 10 points, but the cushion is thinner than it looks. They’ve already dropped points to China (1–1) and were outgunned by Germany in that seven-goal thriller, meaning they can’t afford to let routine become sloppy. Their numbers are strong — 13 scored, 6 conceded — and the front trio has found consistent punch, with Mutu Te Puni, Anderson Ball, and Matt Sands all popping up in big moments.

China, though, are lurking with intent: 7 points from four and a profile that screams “spoiler.” They’ve already beaten Sweden (2–0), edged Hungary (2–1), and earned that draw in New Zealand. Now comes the measuring stick: facing Germany again after losing 3–1 the first time, when Heichele struck twice late to slam the door.

At the bottom, the picture is bleak. Sweden and Hungary have just one point each, and with Sweden scoring only once in five, the margin for belief is shrinking fast — especially with New Zealand arriving next and Germany still to come for Hungary.

Romania set the pace — but the scrap for second is turning nasty

Romania have played this group like a team with a memory and a mission. Unbeaten after five, they’ve piled up 13 points with an imposing 15–3 goal difference, and even Colombia couldn’t knock them off course in the latest 1–1 draw. The pattern is clear: they start fast, they finish stronger, and they keep finding a match-winner in Gino Panc — the decisive strike in Colombia in Round 1, then a relentless scoring run that included a brace against Chile (5–2) and a hat-trick versus Malta (4–0), before another double to sink Australia (4–0).

Behind them, the door is wide open — and Colombia have edged into the best position. They’re second on 8 points with just 4 conceded in five games, and their counterpunching has travelled: a 3–1 win in Malta, a 4–1 win in Australia, and a gritty 0–0 draw with Chile. But there’s a warning label on that record: Romania were the one side to keep them from a statement result, and the margin over the chasers is slim.

Chile are the group’s wild swing. They opened with a nightmare 0–10 collapse against Australia, yet they’ve since shown they can hurt anyone — 2–0 over Malta and then a ruthless 5–0 demolition of Australia. Their 9 goals scored hint at threat, but 15 conceded tells you why they’re still chasing.

Malta and Australia are level on 3 points, though the storylines couldn’t be more different: Malta bounced back with a stunning 4–0 against Australia, while Australia’s early 10–0 over Chile now looks like a strange outlier in an otherwise painful campaign (17 conceded in five).

Round 7 sets the tone: Romania face Chile’s volatility, while Colombia meet a Malta side that’s already proven it can bite when underestimated.

Portugal’s iron curtain leads the way, while second place is a coin toss

Portugal are turning this group into a lesson in control. Five played, 13 points, and the most eye-catching line of all: 8 scored, 0 conceded. They’ve drawn once (0–0 with Venezuela in Round 1) and then quietly squeezed the life out of everyone else — 2–0 in Israel, 2–0 in Japan, 3–0 over Croatia, and the latest statement: a 1–0 win away to Venezuela decided by Eliseu Estrada. It hasn’t been flashy; it’s been clinical, and it’s made the table feel tilted.

The fight behind them is far less settled. Venezuela and Israel are level on 8 points, but they’ve arrived there in completely different ways. Venezuela have built a tight, low-scoring profile (3–2 goals), with three straight games decided by a single goal either way — including a crucial 1–0 win over Japan and a narrow loss to Portugal. Israel, meanwhile, are living on the edge: 7 scored, 7 conceded, a 2–1 win over Croatia, and then that wild 2–2 with Japan where discipline nearly undid them again.

Croatia sit on 3 points with only four played, meaning there’s still time to swing momentum, but their margin for error is gone after back-to-back blanks against Venezuela and Portugal. Japan have been punished for defensive lapses (just 1 point, 11 conceded), yet that last-gasp comeback to draw 2–2 in Israel hints they’re not finished fighting.

Round 7 is huge: Portugal can practically lock the group with another clean-sheet result, while Japan–Croatia feels like a last call for anyone hoping to keep the chase alive.

Slovenia are rewriting the scoreboards, but Serbia still have a say

If anyone wondered whether Slovenia could keep the pace, the numbers have already answered: five wins from five, an absurd 36–1 goal difference, and the kind of dominance that makes every remaining fixture feel like survival rather than strategy. Their opening 18–0 demolition of England set the tone, and the follow-up has been just as ruthless — including a 4–0 shutout of Serbia and a 5–0 repeat lesson for England. At the center of it all, Klemen Marini has been unstoppable, piling on multi-goal performances so often it’s become routine.

Serbia are the only side even remotely in touch on the table, and they’ve earned that status the hard way: 30 goals scored, four wins, and only one defeat — that head-to-head hammering in Slovenia. The 19–0 obliteration of Denmark still hangs over the group like a warning label, and their more controlled 3–0 win over Denmark in Round 6 showed they can win without turning every match into chaos.

The rest are fighting for pride and momentum. England hit rock bottom early, changed manager after Round 2, then finally showed signs of life with a 4–0 win over Denmark and 3–0 against Iceland — before Slovenia shut the door again. Denmark have been battered but did at least get points on the board by beating Iceland, while Iceland remain winless and badly in need of a spark.

Round 7 is brutally clear: Serbia can’t afford any slip-ups, and Slovenia don’t look like a team that knows how to coast.

Austria stay unbeaten, Italy keep breathing down their necks

Austria have turned this group into a study in control: 13 points from five, only two goals conceded, and a knack for winning the moments that matter. They came through the early Canada test, squeezed past Greece, then put Bangladesh away with a ruthless 4–0 — before proving they can also grind, holding Canada to 0–0 with the back line again doing the heavy lifting.

Right behind them, Italy remain the one side capable of turning the race into a real fight. Their only blemish is the narrow 2–1 defeat to Austria, a match swung by an own goal and a quick follow-up after Italy had led through Fidelio Garino. Otherwise, Italy have been relentless: Greece have shipped seven to them across two meetings, while Canada were handled 2–0 with Benedetto Giordano again setting the tone.

Canada are still alive in the chase pack, built around Simon Romain — brilliant in the Bangladesh win and sensational again in the scoreless draw with Austria. The remaining question is where the goals come from often enough to turn solid performances into points.

Further down, Bangladesh have at least found a lift with a rare win — 1–0 over Greece — while Greece remain stuck at zero, scoreless and leaking chances, with little margin left for anything but damage limitation.

Turkey’s perfect run sets the pace, chaos reigns behind them

Turkey have been the one constant in a wildly unpredictable group: four wins from four, 11 goals scored, and a clear identity built around tempo and pressure. They blitzed South Africa with three goals in the first 17 minutes, survived a sticky trip to the Czech Republic thanks to Yakup Ceben’s hat-trick, then dealt with both Uruguay (1–0) and Montenegro (3–0) without ever losing control of the narrative. With 12 points already banked, they’re playing from a position of real comfort.

Behind them, nobody can separate cleanly. South Africa are still searching for consistency but not for goals: they’ve scored nine and conceded nine, mixing a heavy Turkey loss with big responses — notably the 3–0 win over Uruguay and a breathless 3–3 draw in the Czech Republic where they struck three times from just four shots.

Montenegro have had their moments — including the opening “green table” win over Uruguay — but Turkey exposed the gap at the top, and the 1–1 in Uruguay kept them stuck in the logjam on five points. The Czech Republic sit on the same total: competitive, dangerous in patches, but too prone to letting leads slip.

Uruguay finally steadied themselves with a 2–0 win over the Czechs, yet missed time earlier in the group still hangs over their campaign — the margin for error is already thin.

Three-way deadlock at the top — and nobody’s blinking

It’s as tight as it gets in Group J: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ireland, and Moldova are all sitting on 10 points, and each has made a convincing case to be taken seriously. Bosnia’s edge has been control — just one goal conceded in five — built around ruthless, low-noise wins over Russia (3–0, then 3–0 again) and that early statement against Ireland, decided by Robert Stepinac’s eighth-minute strike.

Ireland have been the group’s momentum team: narrow wins turned into a surge, capped by the demolition of Scotland (4–0) that flipped the mood of their campaign. Steven MacMurrough keeps popping up in big moments, and the structure behind him has held up even in grind-it-out games like the 1–0 in Russia.

Then there’s Moldova — perfect so far on the pitch with three wins and a draw from four. They’ve already beaten Bosnia (1–0), handled Russia convincingly (2–0), and showed real steel to take a 2–2 in Ireland after leading twice through Constantin Mura.

Below the summit, Scotland have been volatile: a four-goal blitz of Russia suggested a turning point, but the red card and collapse against Ireland dragged them straight back into trouble. Russia, still winless and stuck on zero points, have conceded 13 and look like they’re playing matches with no margin left.

France keep the foot down as the chase line starts to wobble

France have turned Group K into a test of survival. Unbeaten after five, they’ve piled up 15 goals while conceding just two, and the recent back-to-back statements against Thailand and Albania underlined the gap: a 5–0 followed a 4–1, with Kevin Escoffier running the show and Gurvan Bob repeatedly landing decisive blows. The only blip was the 1–1 in Estonia — and even that felt like a warning shot rather than a stumble.

Behind them, Switzerland are trying to hold second place without letting the tension creep in. They’ve drawn twice already — including that sticky 1–1 in Estonia — but the 2–0 win in Albania showed they can still manage games when it matters. Roy Rey has been a steady outlet, and Kevin Leuenberger keeps delivering big moments in goal.

Albania are the group’s swing side: capable of open, punchy football (the 3–2 over Thailand), but also vulnerable when the tempo rises — France exposed them, and Switzerland punished their slow start. Thailand, meanwhile, have had flashes — especially through Keeradit Chantaraj — yet the defensive swings have been brutal, capped by that heavy loss to France.

Estonia remain without a win, but they’ve been stubborn: they drew Switzerland and held France to 1–1. If they can finally convert periods of control into goals, they can still drag others into uncomfortable territory.

Brazil’s perfect mix of power and poise keeps everyone else in a sprint

Brazil are setting the pace without blinking. Unbeaten after five, they’ve hit 15 goals and navigated the two biggest measuring sticks in the group: a cagey 0–0 with Netherlands early on, then the decisive 3–2 win in the rematch that kept them clear at the top. The engine has been Prieto Kologeski — dominant in the big moments — with Tamboril das Rocas and Nico Bontempo providing the cutting edge. If anything, Brazil’s only concern is discipline: cards have started to appear as the stakes rise.

Netherlands remain the closest challengers, built around a superb spine led by Kees Janse, who has repeatedly been the difference in tight games. They’ve been ruthless when they smell weakness — the 3–0 in Norway and 4–0 against Bolivia — but the narrow loss to Brazil means the margin for error is thinning fast.

Norway are the group’s momentum team: dangerous, direct, and capable of big scorelines (the 5–2 over Finland), yet still carrying the scar of that 0–3 defeat to the Dutch and the 0–3 loss to Brazil. Dennis Lindstad has been immense, and when Arvid Lium gets service, Norway look like they can hurt anyone.

At the bottom, Bolivia have struggled to keep games from getting away from them — and the red card against Brazil summed up the fine line they’ve been walking. Finland are still searching for a point, but they’ve shown they can score (five goals total) — the problem is keeping the door shut, with 17 conceded already.