The FIFA World Cup Trophy - Source: Unsplash

World Cup Qualifying: Which European Underdogs Are Well Positioned To Qualify? 

The first international break of the season has been and gone, and it has provided no end of talking points. Back-to-back European championship finalists England continue to chip away with victories, even if they look less than impressive in doing so. The Spanish team that beat the Three Lions in Germany last summer has impressed, however, with their thumping 6-0 victory away at Türkiye, laying down a marker to the rest of the world. 

That Mikel Merino-inspired drubbing in Istanbul - with the Arsenal midfielder netting a stunning hat trick - has prompted online betting sites to slash odds on the Spanish winning the World Cup next summer. Bookies now make Lamine Yamal and Co. a short-priced 4/1 favorite, and the use of an online betting calculator, such as the popular one at Thunderpick, shows just how far clear they are of the rest of the chasing pack. The calculator shows that a £10 bet on the Spanish would secure £40 in winnings in addition to the amount staked, while a bet on the next best-priced, France, would pay £60, 50% more. 

But while some of the heavyweights are looking imperious, some underdogs have also taken the continent by storm. Here are two such outfits that have put themselves in the perfect position to qualify for next summer's FIFA World Cup. 

Slovakia 

Slovakia has only qualified once for the FIFA World Cup under its own flag in seven attempts, and that came way back in 2010. Since then, it has been nothing but pain, with a second-place finish behind England back in 2018 the closest they have come to making a return to the global stage. However, their qualifying campaign for 2026 couldn't have gotten off to a better start. 

The Slovaks were tasked with hosting four-time world champions Germany in their opener and found themselves as huge underdogs. Die Mannschaft had Premier League new boys Florian Wirtz and Nick Woltemade in their starting lineup, as well as the likes of Antonio Rudiger, Serge Gnabry, and Leon Goretzka. However, despite the starpower, the visitors underwhelmed, unable to break down their well-drilled hosts. 

As such, that provided fertile ground for an upset, and Slovakia delivered. Atletico Madrid's new boy, David Hancko, gave his side the lead on the brink of half-time, before Middlesbrough forward David Strelec doubled the advantage ten minutes after the break. The visitors never looked like pulling a goal back, and the Falcons emerged as deserved 2-0 victors. 

In their second game, Slovakia headed to Luxembourg, this time as the favorites to secure the win. However, they surprisingly had a much tougher time of it and were outplayed by their lowly hosts. Even so, though, they found a way to win, with Stoke City's Tomáš Rigo netting a last-gasp winner to give his side a perfect start to qualifying. Francesco Calzona's side now sits top of Group A, three points clear of Germany and in pole position to secure their World Cup return. 

Norway 

If you thought Slovakia's World Cup drought was a bad one, spare a thought for Norway. The Lions haven't featured at a major tournament of any kind since Euro 2000, and you have to go back two years more than that for their last World Cup appearance. However, the Nordic nation now has a Golden Generation of talent on its hands, and they are starting to change the narrative surrounding Norwegian football. 

Their charge is led by Manchester City talisman Erling Haaland, with the powerhouse striker amassing a whopping 43 goals in 44 games for the national team. He is fed by Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard, with the attacking midfielder creating opportunities aplenty for his striking compatriot. And so far, both of them have led their country to the summit of their qualifying group. 

Norway began with a thumping 5-0 win against Moldova, before following that up with an impressive 4-2 victory against Israel. However, the marquee result came in the home contest against four-time champions Italy, with Norway running rampant, scoring three goals before halftime and securing a 3-0 victory. Haaland then netted the winner in a trip to Estonia, handing his side top spot in Group I with a perfect record of four wins from four. 

The biggest test for Haaland and Co. will come in their final game when they head to the San Siro to face an Italy team reborn under Gennaro Gattuso. However, after their impressive display the first time around in Oslo, they will head to the home of the Azzurri with no fear. 

Honorable Mentions 

There are plenty of other underdogs who have also made an impression during the international break. Bosnia's sole World Cup appearance came back in 2014 when they had a golden generation of their own. Their new crop currently sits at the top of Group H with four wins from four, ten goals scored against just one conceded. 

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's Georgia is also looking to build on their maiden major tournament qualification, UEFA Euro 2024. They currently sit on three points after losing in a spirited display at home to Turkiye before responding with a 3-0 victory against Bulgaria. However, with back-to-back games against Spain on the cards next, they will have their work cut out if they are to go for second place in Group E and a spot in the playoffs.