Liverpool stars Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike will likely learn their World Cup qualification fate on Thursday as the first European matches of the November international break commence.
By this time next week, the identity of the 12 group winners and 16 nations who will compete for a play-off spot will be known. England is the only European country to have secured passage to next summer’s tournament in North America, but that could change on Thursday.
Szoboszlai and Hungary begin the final batch of qualifiers on Thursday, with Marco Rossi’s side facing a trip to Armenia. A late Szoboszlai equalizer against Portugal prevented Cristiano Ronaldo and co from booking a spot at the World Cup in October.
Yet Hungary all but knows it will not top Group F. It would take two wins over the upcoming double header, and for Portugal to lose both matches against the Republic of Ireland and Armenia, for the Hungarians to finish first.
Should Portugal win in Dublin, its automatic spot at the World Cup will be confirmed. As for Hungary, it knows that a victory against Armenia, coupled with a win for Portugal, would ensure it finishes second and features in the play-offs next year.
Otherwise, the play-off place will be settled when Hungary hosts Ireland in Budapest on Sunday.
Dominik Szoboszlai in action for Hungary against Portugal
Szoboszlai will hope to captain Hungary to the World Cup (Image: Getty Images)
As for France, Konate and Ekitike, their fate is less complicated.
Should the 2018 World Cup finalists beat Ukraine in Paris on Thursday, it will secure top spot in Group D and book a place at the main event next summer.
France has picked up 10 points from four group games so far. Konate played in the first two group games but was not fit to play in October’s fixtures, with William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano starting at the heart of defense.
Ekitike is among the few to play in all four matches and provided an assist in October’s win over Azerbaijan.
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike made his France debut in September (Image: Getty Images)
The games involving France and Hungary are among eight scheduled for Thursday.
Federico Chiesa, who it was revealed this week has turned down the chance to meet up with the Italy squad, will no doubt be keeping an eye on his country’s match against Moldova.
Italy needs to win and hope table-toppers Norway slip up at home to Estonia before they meet in Milan on Sunday.
Norway is three points ahead of Italy in the table and has a goal difference that is 16 greater than Gennaro Gattuso’s side, meaning a win against Estonia will all but guarantee first place.