5 Things We Learned From The International Break

The final international break of 2025 delivered a mix of triumphant breakthroughs and gut-wrenching disappointments, setting the stage for the historic 2026 World Cup. From a new golden generation emerging in Scandinavia to a perennial African powerhouse missing out, here are five crucial takeaways that reshaped the narrative of international football.

1. Erling Haaland and Norway Are a Dark Horse for the World Cup

Norway’s emphatic World Cup qualification is arguably the biggest story to emerge from Europe. Securing their first World Cup berth since 1998, the moment was cemented by a stunning 4-1 victory over Italy in their final qualifier. Erling Haaland was typically immense, scoring two goals and reaching a record-equaling 16 goals in the qualifying campaign. Crucially, the side is more than just Haaland; the hype surrounding Norway’s ‘golden generation’ is validated by the quality surrounding him, including Antonio Nusa, Oscar Bobb, and Jørgen Strand Larsen, all of whom contributed goals in the decisive win. If Haaland’s sensational club form can sustain until the tournament itself, Norway possesses the talent to go much farther than many anticipate.

2. Nigeria’s Failure to Qualify for the World Cup Is Borderline Disgraceful

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign ended in the most agonizing and disappointing fashion. After failing to qualify directly from the group stage, they were relegated to the continental play-offs. Though they managed to overwhelm Gabon 4-1 in the semi-finals, they went on to lose the final to DR Congo, confirming they will miss the World Cup for a second successive edition. Given the quality and depth the squad possesses, especially in their prolific attack, led by the likes of Victor Osimhen, failing to reach the mundial is a collective failure that is borderline disgraceful relative to the nation’s expectations. The fact that such a talent pool couldn’t navigate the African route speaks to systemic issues that still need fixing.

3. Portugal (Doesn’t)…. Need Ronaldo?

The greatest debate surrounding Portugal for the 2026 World Cup is whether Cristiano Ronaldo should start. While his experience and presence are invaluable, the team’s depth has never been better, and the evidence is overwhelming. Portugal secured automatic qualification in style, crushing Armenia 9-1 in a match where Ronaldo was suspended. The result highlighted the seamless transition to the next era, with midfield giants João Neves and Bruno Fernandes both bagging hat-tricks. The sheer magnitude of their performance in his absence only strengthens the argument that Portugal’s core collective brilliance can generate devastating results without relying on their talismanic forward in the starting eleven.

4. Thomas Tuchel Is Building a Defensive Juggernaut With England

Under Thomas Tuchel, the England national team has transformed into a defensive powerhouse while maintaining a perfect qualifying record. The Three Lions became the first European nation in history to win eight World Cup qualifying games without conceding a single goal, keeping a staggering ten consecutive clean sheets in competitive fixtures. This discipline is remarkable, backed by exceptional depth. For every promising talent like Myles Lewis-Skelly challenging for a spot, there is a rapidly rising contender like Nico O’Reilly putting the pressure on, and for every Reece James, there’s the versatility of a Trent Alexander-Arnold fighting for a starting berth. The competition is intense and the quality is undeniable, offering Tuchel the best kind of selection dilemma.

5. The 2026 World Cup Will Be Truly Historic Due to Expansion and Possible Cinderella Stories

The expansion of the FIFA World Cup to 48 teams has already delivered on its promise of new, historic narratives long before the tournament begins. The qualifiers have seen Curaçao become the smallest nation by population ever to qualify (population of about 156,000), while Haiti sealed their first qualification since 1974 despite the severe security crisis at home forcing them to play all “home” games abroad. Alongside new faces like Uzbekistan, Jordan, and Cape Verde, these breakthroughs confirm the monumental impact of the expansion. With dark horses like Morocco and Norway also securing their spots, the 2026 World Cup promises to be one of the most eventful and globally representative tournaments in history.

The final verdict from this international break is clear: the 2026 World Cup is going to be wildly unpredictable. We’ve seen a new-look England become defensively unbreakable, the rise of dark horse contenders like Norway, and undeniable evidence that Portugal’s next generation is ready for the spotlight, even without their legendary talisman. On the flip side, the heartbreak for Nigeria shows that expectations and talent don’t always guarantee success, confirming that the expanded tournament promises both historic breakthroughs and crushing disappointments.