Denmark qualify, Italy held by Sweden, Germany and Norway win
UEFA qualifying for the comes to a close on matchday six. In the first round of matches Denmark joined Germany in automatic qualification, with the later picking up a win over Slovenia. Italy were held 2-2 by Sweden and Norway also finished on a high with a victory over Austria.
Later England face Ukraine, France go head-to-head with the Republic of Ireland, Iceland take on Spain and the Netherlands lock horns with Poland.
Only the group winners in League A will qualify for the global finals in this first phase of qualifying. Between October and December 2026, 32 teams will compete in the play-offs for seven more direct World Cup tickets, with another team hoping to qualify in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Serbia goals: Poljak (15), (40) Denmark goals: Harder (8), Vangsgaard (14), (42)
Denmark earned automatic qualification as group winners after their 4-1 win over Serbia at the SportCenter of FA Serbia. Three goals in the opening fifteen minutes saw the Danes take a 2-1 lead. Cecilie Floe and Amalie Vangsgaard gave the away side a healthy advantage before Allegra Poljak pulled a goal back for Serbia.
Danish striker Pernille Harder restored Denmark's two goal advantage, before Amalie Vangsgaard struck just two minutes later to give the Danes a commanding three-goal lead at half time. Neither side could add to the scoreline in the second period with Denmark running out decisive winners.
The defeat leaves Serbia bottom of the group and relegated to League B.
Sweden goals: Lundkvist (70), Rolfo (73) Italy goals: Oliviero (36), Piemonte (45)
It was dominant first half display from Italy and it paid off for the Azzurre ten minutes before the break when defender Elisabetta Oliviero struck to give the Italians the lead in Gothenburg. Martina Piemonte added to the scoresheet seconds before the half time whistle blew to give Italy a two-goal lead.
Sweden staged a second half comeback, first through a strike from Hanna Lundkvist to halve the deficit. Forward Fridolina Rolfo got her name on the scoresheet moments later to equalise for Sweden.
The match ended in a draw with Italy finishing second and Sweden ending the group stage in third spot.
Germany goals: Sarai Linder (40), Martinez (50)
Germany secured qualification last Friday on matchday five with a victory over Norway, but Christian Wuck's side didn't take their foot off of the gas in their final group stage game in the 2-0 win over Slovenia.
It took the Germans until five minutes from half-time to make the decisive breakthrough. Defender Sarai Linder was on hand to open the scoring, assisted by Bayern Munich's Klara Buhl. The away side led at the break, and they were quick to add to that lead just five minutes after the restart through attacker Shekiera Martinez.
The defeat sees Slovenia finish bottom of Group A4 and relegated to League B.
Norway goals: Bjelde (46), Graham Hansen (48) Austria goals: Dunst (51)
Norway's 2-1 victory over Austria cements second spot in Group A4 behind winners Germany. It was an even opening 45 minutes in Oslo as Norway and Austria battled it out with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Norway burst into life in the second period, taking the lead through a header from midfielder Thea Bjelde just one minute after the restart. The home side then doubled their advantage two minutes later through a second headed goal from striker Caroline Graham Hansen.
Austria responded quickly with a goal from Barbara Dunst to halve Norway's lead. Norway had the chance to restore their two-goal lead from the penalty spot after a handball but Graham Hansen failed to convert. A third goal wasn't required in the end as the final whistle blew, with Austria defeated and finishing in third place in the group, avoiding relegation.
Sources: FIFA Official
