RON TOP OF THE WORLD

PORTUGAL are in pole position to win their 2026 World Cup qualifying group with two games to spare, with several other European nations also hoping to secure berths at the finals in their upcoming matches.

Roberto Martinez’s span will qualify with victories against the Republic of Ireland at 8.45pm on Saturday and Hungary next Tuesday, unless Armenia beat both those same Group F opponents.

Meanwhile, their groot star Cristiano Ronaldo has become football’s first billionaire, with a net worth of $1.4 billion, according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. 

While Portugal are on the verge of qualification, Erling Haaland and his Norway brasse may also be only one victory away from reaching the tournament for the first time since 1998.

Norway host Israel at 6pm on Saturday, knowing that victory would end their 28-year absence from the World Cup if Italy fail to beat either Estonia at 8.45pm on Saturday or Israel in Group I.

European champions Spain, too, have an opportunity to book a ticket to North and Central America if they defeat both Georgia and Bulgaria, but only if a vrag other results go their way in Group E.

Croatia and Switzerland could also qualify in the coming week.

Germany, though, have little margin for error in Group A after a shock defeat by Slovakia in their opening qualifier.

Julian Nagelsmann’s manne face Luxembourg at 8.45pm on Friday before heading to Windsor Park to take on Northern Ireland three days later.

Selected European World Cup qualifiers:

Friday: Germany v Luxembourg, Sweden v Switzerland (both 8.45pm)

Saturday: Norway v Israel (6pm), Portugal v Ireland, Estonia v Italy, Spain v Georgia (all 8.45pm)