Germany, Netherlands qualify for World Cup 2026 on last day

With a 6-0 victory over Slovakia on Monday, four-time World Cup champion Germany finally secured their place in the 2026 edition.

Germany will make its 21st World Cup appearance, with the only two previous ones being the inaugural 1930 World Cup and the 1950 World Cup, which were both prohibited from entering.

With a 4-0 victory over Lithuania to end an unbeaten run in group play, Dutch rivals from Europe also qualified on Monday.

Germany opened their Group A campaign with a defeat to Slovakia, which was more dramatic. In World Cup qualifying, they won five games in a row after only one more defeat. Germany’s four goals in the first half prevented Germany from placing in the 2026 World Cup, but they were all necessary only to draw on Monday.

Germany won the 2014 World Cup, but they haven’t lost since in the previous two competitions. After finishing third three times, the Netherlands are still looking to win their first World Cup trophy.

The draw will take place on Thursday, with Slovakia and Poland now in the playoffs.