Ivory Coast players celebrate

1966 Champions England booked their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 5-nil thrashing of Latvia in UEFA/World cup qualification on Tuesday.

A double strike from Harry Kane piloted the Three Lions to the win .

The all-important victory in Latvia was England’s sixth from six games in qualifying and maintained their record as the only unbeaten side in Group K’ and they are yet to concede a goal.

Christiano Ronaldo set a new record for World Cup qualifying goals but Hungary grabbed a late 2-all draw to slow down’s Portugal’s march in reaching next summer’s tournament with two games to spare.

Ronaldo netted his 40th and 41st qualifying goals in the tie, to overtake retired Guatemala international Carlos Ruiz, who scored 39 goals between 1998 and 2016.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino scored twice as Spain beat Bulgaria 4-NIL to move closer to qualifying for the 2026 showpice.

World Cup winners in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, Fance were made to wait for another World Cup qualification after they were held to a two all draw by Iceland,

Meanwhile, African Nations Cup Champions Ivory Coast punched their World Cup ticket with a workmanlike 3-nil win over Kenya. 

In Group B’ Senegal shut out neighbours Mauritania 4-nil to finish atop the group and qualify for their fourth FIFA World Cup, Algeria will be on show next year as well after they blanked Somali 3-nil to advance, while 2010 hosts South Africa secured their spot for 2026 with a 3-nil blanking of Rwanda. 

The World Cup draw takes place on December 5 in Washington, D.C.