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In the Concacaf region, there is a team that is still in contention to reach the play-offs for a spot in the World Cup: it is Haiti, which participated in the 1974 edition.

In the Concacaf region, there is a team that can still hope to reach the play-offs that lead to the World Cup: it is Haiti, despite the institutional political chaos that the Caribbean island is going through, hopes to return to the World Cup exactly 50 years after the last time.

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Haiti, the Caribbean team still in the running for a spot in the Concacaf World Cup play-offs: the last time was 50 years ago, in 1974

In the Concacaf zone for World Cup qualifications, in group C which includes Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Haiti, the latter are still in contention to go to the play-offs: the first are almost certain to go to the neighboring countries Mexico, USA, and Canada even by drawing against Costa Rica, while the Caribbean team, if Honduras were to beat Costa Rica and win at home against Nicaragua, could access the play-offs that lead to the World Cup. If they succeed, it would be a return after 50 years since the last time in 1974 in Germany.

Haiti is unfortunately known for being the poorest and most politically unstable country in the entire Western Hemisphere: political chaos reigns in the country, so much so that currently the government is run by the presidential junta appointed by the OAS. The aftermath of the fierce dictatorship of the Duvalier family is still felt in Port-au-Prince and surroundings, but football is popular and also a release valve for the poor Haitians.

It was during the dictatorship of Duvalier son that the first qualification for the World Cup occurred, a real surprise. Even in Italy, this was talked about, as the Caribbean team was placed in the same group as the Azzurri and it was also the opening match. It ended 3-1, but Sanon (a local football legend) ended Dino Zoff‘s unbeaten streak of 11 games. After that, nothing more, but now there is this great opportunity, a way to redeem themselves from the misery that unfortunately the first independent country in the Caribbean is sadly known for, but football is an opportunity for redemption, as all Haitian fans hope, in memory of that one time at a World Cup.

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The group stage of the African teams’ 2026 World Cup Qualifiers concludes today. Some are still in search of mathematical qualification.

Everything is decided today: three African teams out of seven will arithmetically qualify for the next World Cup. From the duels Senegal-DR Congo and Ivory Coast-Gabon, to the crazy Group C. Three teams are vying for the top spot, with a direct clash also in the mix.

Below is a rundown of who can qualify for the World Cup today.

2026 World Cup, Africa: DR Congo dreams of overtaking, Group C madness

VICTOR OSIMHEN’S ROAR ( PHOTO BY SALVATORE FORNELLI )

Starting with Group B where Senegal sits at the top. However, DR Congo is second, just two points behind Koulibaly and his teammates. The Lions of Teranga only need to win at home against Mauritania to qualify for the next World Cup. However, if DR Congo wins at home against Sudan and Senegal fails to win, the Leopards will qualify.

The situation in Group C is surreal. At the top is Benin, while in second place, two points behind, is South Africa. But in third place, three points behind Benin, is Nigeria with Lookman and Osimhen. The Super Eagles will face the group leaders in an epic direct clash.

If Benin and South Africa win (at home against Rwanda), Benin goes to the World Cup. But if Nigeria beats the group leader 2-1, they will be tied on points not only in the standings but also in goal difference, goals scored, points in head-to-head matches, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored, and head-to-head away goals scored.

In this case, attention should be paid to the fair play ranking, which team has the most yellow cards. Nigeria has 12, Benin has 14: if Osimhen and his teammates receive more yellow cards than Benin, no World Cup for them. It’s worth noting that this would only happen if the Super Eagles win 2-1.

As for South Africa, the team coached by Hugo Broos must win at home against Rwanda and hope for a Nigeria victory to qualify for the World Cup. In case of a draw between Nigeria and Benin, South Africa must win by at least three goals.

Group F: Kessié or Aubameyang?

Lastly, there’s Group F which sees Ivory Coast leading the group, with Gabon and Aubameyang trailing by one point. Kessié and his teammates just need to win at home against Kenya, while Gabon will face Burundi at home. If the Elephants lose and Aubameyang’s team draws, the two teams will be tied on points.

In this scenario, Ivory Coast would most likely advance as they would need to concede 12 goals to Kenya to be overtaken by Gabon. Therefore, Aubameyang and his teammates can only hope for Ivory Coast not to win and for them to beat Burundi. In this case, Gabon would qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

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The 8th day of Group K in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers sees Latvia-England facing off: the English can qualify for the World Cup with a win.

The 8th day of Group K in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers sees Latvia-England facing off: the Latvians are coming off a 2-2 draw against Andorra while the English had a break in the last round.

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Latvia Team

Latvia is coming off a 2-2 draw against Andorra, a result that reflects a rather disappointing qualification campaign for the Latvians, against a team like Andorra that had never scored or earned a point before. Now they face England, who intend to secure their qualification, so Latvia will aim to avoid a too negative result.

Coach Nicolato will deploy a 5-3-2 formation with a defense consisting of Savalnieks, Jurkovskisk, Cernomordjis, Balodis, and Ciganiks; a midfield composed of Zelenkovs, Saveljevs, and Varslavans; and an attack led by Gutkovskis and Sits.

England Team

England had a break due to the Group K format, which consists of five teams. They are currently at the top with 15 points, and a win in Riga against Latvia would secure their qualification for the World Cup. Their recent 5-0 win against Serbia away from home shows that Coach Tuchel’s team is one of the favorites for the North American World Cup. Their upcoming matches will be mere tests leading up to next year’s June.

The English coach will field a 4-2-3-1 formation with a defense comprised of James, Konsa, Guehi, and Livramento; a midfield duo of Anderson and Rice; with Kane leading the attack, supported by Madueke, Rogers, and Gordon.

Latvia vs. England Probable Lineups

LATVIA (5-3-2): Zviedris; Savalnieks, Jurkovskisk, Cernomordjis, Balodis, Ciganiks; Zelenkovs, Saveljevs, Varslavans; Gutkovskis, Sits. Coach: Nicolato

ENGLAND (4-2-3-1): Pickford; James, Konsa, Guehi, Livramento; Anderson, Rice; Madueke, Rogers, Gordon; Kane. Coach: Tuchel

Where to Watch Latvia vs. England

The Latvia vs. England match, valid for Group K in the World Cup qualifiers, will be played tomorrow at 20:45 and will be broadcast on Sky Sport Calcio (202).