Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup: North Macedonia draws Belgium; Sweden loses to Switzerland

North Macedonia produced a defensive masterclass to hold Belgium to a 0-0 draw in Friday’s World Cup qualifier and stay one point ahead in Group J.

The visitor kept out everything Belgium had to offer in a nearly 90-minute siege and leads with 12 points from six games, one ahead of Belgium, who have a game in hand.

Belgium attacked relentlessly almost from the start, with Jeremy Doku trying to open the defense from the left flank and Kevin De Bruyne pushing in from the edge of the area.

But Belgium’s efforts were thwarted by a committed defence, and when this was breached, goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski made some important saves.

Doku regularly sold dummies to defenders to create chances, only to have the final effort blocked or saved, while De Bruyne’s best effort from the edge of the area took a deflection and went away for a corner.

North Macedonia, which has never been to the World Cup but caused a shock when it qualified for the 2020 European Championship, had two attempts on goal from rare counter-attacking chances, but there was hardly anything for home goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to do.

«We did everything we could to score, but it was frustrating. If we had scored the first goal, I’m sure we would have scored many more,» said Belgian midfielder Hans Vanaken. VTM television.

Belgium still has a match in hand and still wants to win the group and qualify for next June’s tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

READ ALSO | FIFA World Cup qualifying tournament: Germany passes Luxembourg; Northern Ireland stuns Slovakia

But they will have to be sharper in front of goal if they want to earn a much-needed away win against Wales in Cardiff on Monday and take control of the group. The matches will be played in Kazakhstan and at home against Liechtenstein next month.

North Macedonia’s final two group matches are at home against Kazakhstan on Monday, with the match being played away against Wales on November 18.

Wales, who have ten points from five games, benefited from the draw and remain in contention, but the reason lies in the victory over Belgium on Monday.

Sweden’s World Cup hopes have collapsed after the defeat against Switzerland

Switzerland captain Granit

Switzerland top the group with nine perfect points from their first three matches, while Kosovo are second with four points and Slovenia third with two after playing out a scoreless draw in Pristina. The Swedes are at the bottom with one point.

The hosts were outplayed throughout, with Switzerland taking the lead in the 65th minute after Alexander Bernhardsson sent Djibril Sow sprawling in the penalty area with a push from the back, and Xhaka fired the resulting penalty straight down the middle.

A frustrating evening for the Swedes was interrupted when Swiss substitute Johan Manzabi’s tame effort was deflected past goalkeeper Viktor Johansson in second-half stoppage time, condemning them to a second defeat in three games and shattering their qualification chances.

Published on October 11, 2025