The 2026 World Cup is quickly approaching, but some Leeds United players might not make it.
The October international break was a vital one as several countries played crucial qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament will be held next summer and more than half of the spots have now been claimed, with England becoming the first European side to seal their place after the 5-0 thrashing of Latvia on Tuesday night.
Leeds United should have two representatives in North America, as Brenden Aaronson and Ao Tanaka have already qualified, with co-host nation USA and Japan, respectively.
Only two Leeds players have ever won the World Cup and that’s unlikely to change in 2026, but the club could still have more representatives in the tournament.
Some, however, are in danger of missing out.
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Gabriel Gudmundsson – Sweden
Sweden endured an absolute disaster of an international break that concluded with manager Jon Dahl Tomasson getting the sack.
With Alexander Isak still not fit enough after refusing to play for Newcastle United to force through his Liverpool transfer, Sweden were listless as they lost at home to Switzerland and Kosovo.
Gabriel Gudmundsson started both matches but could do little to help his team.
Sweden sit bottom of their group on just one point after four games.
They can no longer win the group and would have to beat Switzerland away and Slovenia at home with a four-goal swing and hope Kosovo don’t pick up another point to finish second and go into a knock-out qualifier.
The chances look remote.
However, they still have a chance of entering the play-offs as they won their Nations League group.
Yet, to do that, they have to be among the four highest-ranked teams to have also won their Nations League group but haven’t finished in the top two in qualifying, which they will have to pick up more points to do.
Karl Darlow, Dan James, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu – Wales
Wales’ defeat to Belgium means they can no longer qualify automatically for the World Cup.
However, there is still hope for Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Karl Darlow and Dan James through the play-offs, which they have already qualified for thanks to their Nations League performance.
No matter where Wales finish in the group, they are into the play-offs, though going through this route leads to a lower seeding and tougher path. Instead, they will want to finish second.
To do so, Wales must defeat rock bottom Liechtenstein away in November to set up a shoot-out with North Macedonia in Cardiff in their final game, with whoever wins claiming second spot.
However, a draw in that match currently favours North Macedonia as they have a better goal difference. Wales need to defeat Liechtenstein by six goals or more for the advantage to be in their favour.
The November international break is going to be a tense one for Craig Bellamy’s side.
Ilia Gruev – Bulgaria
Bulgaria had next to no chance of making the World Cup and they were eliminated long ago.
Ilia Gruev’s side have lost all four of their games so far, conceding 16 goals and scoring just one.
Jaka Bijol – Slovenia
Jaka Bijol’s Slovenia still have a slim chance of making it to the World Cup but it’s very unlikely.
Bijol helped his side keep consecutive clean sheets in October, with goalless draws against Kosovo and Switzerland.
Slovenia can’t finish top of their group, but could still feasibly finish second. They have three points in 3rd and still have to play 2nd-placed Kosovo at home, who have seven points. If they can win that, get a two-goal swing and then draw or defeat Sweden in their final game, they could claim a play-off spot themselves depending on Kosovo’s final result.
Noah Okafor – Switzerland
Unlike everyone else on the list, Noah Okafor’s Switzerland will almost certainly go to North America; it’s just not clear if he will be joining the team.
Switzerland are top of their group with four games played and are yet to lose.
However, Okafor has been snubbed from the last two Switzerland squads over concerns with his attitude.
Manager Murat Yakin has not closed the door on Okafor adding to his 24 caps, though, and said after the 0-0 with Slovenia: “He’s in the flow. We will certainly keep an eye on him.”
Leeds United News understands that Leeds are ‘happy’ with Okafor and have no concerns with his attitude themselves.
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