France Qualify For 2026 World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo Sees Red As Portugal Forced To Wait

France secured their place in the 2026 World Cup with a 4-0 victory over Ukraine on Thursday, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the 2015 Paris attacks. Meanwhile, Portugal must wait after losing 2-0 in Dublin, with Cristiano Ronaldo receiving a red card.

Norway also faces a delay in their qualification after Italy scored late in Moldova, preventing Norway from securing their World Cup spot for next year in North America.

France’s win at an emotionally charged Parc des Princes was preceded by a minute’s silence to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Paris attacks on November 13, 2015. Most of the 130 victims were killed at the Bataclan concert hall, while one person died near the Stade de France during a friendly match between France and Germany, which saw multiple explosions as suicide bombers attempted to enter the venue.