Germany, Netherlands Secure 2026 World Cup Spots with Big Wins

Four-time World Cup champions Germany have officially secured their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a stunning 6-0 victory over Slovakia on Monday. This victory marks Germany’s 21st appearance at the tournament. The only editions the country missed were the inaugural 1930 World Cup, which Germany did not enter, and the 1950 tournament, from which they were banned.

Germany’s qualification campaign had a dramatic start. The team suffered a surprising loss to Slovakia in their opening Group A match, marking only the third time in their history that they lost a World Cup qualifying match. However, they bounced back emphatically, recording five consecutive wins to recover ground. While a draw on Monday would have been sufficient to secure a spot in the 2026 edition, Germany went all out, scoring four goals in the first half and completely dominating the match.

The victory also served as a statement after Germany’s recent struggles in the World Cup. Their last title came in 2014, but the team failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. With this qualification, Germany aims to regain its status as a global football powerhouse in 2026.

Meanwhile, European rival the Netherlands also booked their spot in the 2026 World Cup after a 4-0 win over Lithuania, finishing unbeaten in their group. Despite coming close in the past, the Netherlands have yet to win a World Cup, having finished as runners-up on three occasions.

With Germany and the Netherlands confirmed for next year’s tournament, attention now turns to the playoffs, where Slovakia and Poland will battle for the remaining European spots. The playoff draw is scheduled for Thursday, setting the stage for the final phase of European qualification.