International blog: Algeria and Maza qualify for World Cup - wins for Flekken and Co.

+++ 09.10.: Flekken's Netherlands take next step towards World Cup finals +++

The Netherlands retained top spot in Group G with a 4-0 victory over Malta in their fifth World Cup qualifier. Mark Flekken did not feature. The Oranje head the group on 13 points with a three-point lead over Poland. Finland are next up for Flekken and Co.

+++ 09.10.: Confidence boost for England ahead of World Cup qualifier +++

England played Wales in a friendly. The Three Lions won 3-0 with Jarell Quansah on the bench. England's sixth World Cup qualifier follows on Tuesday against Latvia. Quansah and Co. head Group K with 15 points from five games with a seven-point lead over Albania.

+++ 09.10.: Ben Seghir plays for Morocco in friendly victory +++

Eliesse Ben Seghir and Morocco beat Bahrain 1-0 in a friendly with Ben Seghir coming on as a substitute on 69 minutes. Morocco move on to their eighth World Cup qualifier. The North Africans are currently top of Group E with 21 points thanks to seven wins from their seven games so far.

+++ 09.10.: Maza and Co. qualify for World Cup finals +++

Algeria faced Somalia on Thursday night in game nine of ten in the African World Cup qualifiers and won 3-0. The North African team have secured their ticket to the 2026 World Cup. Ibrahim Maza came off the bench on the hour mark to help secure the crucial three points. Algeria lead Group G with 22 points with one match remaining, followed by Uganda on 18 points. Maza and Co. play Uganda face in the final qualifier on Tuesday.

Congratulations, Ibo!

+++ 08.10.: Sarco top goalscorer at U20 World Cup +++

The tournament has been a great success for Alejo Sarco so far: The 19-year-old Bayer 04 forward is currently featuring for Argentina at the U20 World Cup in Chile. After three wins from the three group games, including three goals from Sarco, the Leverkusen player was also successful in the Round of 16 match against Nigeria on Wednesday evening. He put his team on the road to victory with an early opener. Click HERE for the article !

+++ 08.10.: Burkina Faso with Tapsoba clock up key win +++

This victory may represent a big step towards participation in the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Burkina Faso and Werkself player Edmond Tapsoba defeated Sierra Leone 1-0 on Wednesday night in the penultimate group match of the African World Cup qualifiers. The Leverkusen defender, who played throughout, and his compatriots kept their direct rivals at bay and secured second place in the Group A table. Burkina Faso can no longer catch group leaders Egypt with one match remaining.

Tapsoba and Co. are currently third in the table of second-placed teams, which four more nations will qualify from. A win in their final group match against Ethiopia could see Burkina Faso secure their place at the World Cup, but they will have to keep an eye on goal difference with regard to their competitors - with some having played one less match - in the ranking of the second-placed teams. Kick-off is at 21:00 CEST on Sunday.