UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Matchday 3 Preview

International soccer resumes this week after several months off, with teams set to compete in the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.

In all corners of the world, teams will fight to secure the necessary points to seal their ticket to the most important tournament at the national team level on the planet. While many focus on the South American qualifiers as the most even and complicated, things are no different in Europe.

The UEFA qualifiers are still very tough, and as a result, the teams will try to display all their power, as their qualification for the World Cup will depend on it.

Below, we bring you a preview of the best matches to enjoy on Matchday 3 of the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, with their respective betting odds and our free predictions.

At Gambyl Exchange, you can explore all the predictions for the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers, the final bets for this matchday, and the odds for each match.

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: North Macedonia vs. Belgium

North Macedonia has made a positive start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The team has accumulated one win and one draw, which keeps them at the top of Group J. However, this matchday, they go head-to-head with the favorites to win the group, so we will know what the team is made of.

In their first match, the Macedonian team defeated Liechtenstein 3-0 and then drew with Wales 1-1.

On the other hand, group favorites Belgium will make their debut in these qualifiers on Matchday 3. The Belgians had played the UEFA Nations League on previous FIFA dates, so they had not kicked off this qualifying tournament.

Belgium has not performed as well as expected in recent months, especially in the Nations League. Although they were in the toughest group of all with France and Italy, the team finished with a terrible record of one win, one draw, and four defeats. They even lost to Ukraine 3-4 on aggregate, ending in elimination from the tournament.

That said, we expect Belgium to ratify their tag of favorites and take all three points in this match.

North Macedonia vs. Belgium Betting Pick: Belgium

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Norway vs. Italy

Norway has had the best start to these UEFA 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Group I. While not a particularly tough group, the Norwegian team has managed to win both of their matches, thus forcing Italy to have a positive start to the tournament.

In their first match, the Norwegians hammered Moldova 5-0, while their most recent match was a resounding 4-2 victory over Israel. As we can see, nine goals scored in two games is a very high number, something Italy will have to watch out for in this match.

On the other hand, like Belgium and the rest of the UEFA teams, Italy will make their debut in these qualifiers on matchday 3. The Italians are the favorites to win Group I, but based on their recent performances, they will have to step up to their game to do so.

Italy had been playing in the UEFA Nations League in previous months, where they reached the Quarterfinals. However, they lost to Germany with a 4-5 aggregate score, resulting in being eliminated from the tournament. However, they are expected to start on the right foot and prove that they are the favorites in the group.

For this match, our prediction is a win for Italy.

Norway vs. Italy Betting Pick:Italy

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Andorra vs. England

Andorra’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup are slim. They have shown a poor performance in the two matches they have played in these qualifiers. Not only have they lost both, but they have failed to score a single goal along the way and have conceded four.

Now, they face the mighty England, who will surely also go through the steamroller with them despite playing at home. Andorra lost to Latvia (0-1) and Albania (0-3) in the two matches they played in these qualifiers.

On the other hand, England wants to return to that decisive team that has won tournaments in Europe in recent years. In these qualifiers, England started on the right foot by winning its first two matches and is expected to qualify comfortably for the 2026 World Cup.

The English national team led by Jude Bellingham has players of the highest level, making the expectations grow higher about their performance. In the first match of the qualifiers, England beat Albania 2-0 at home, while their second match was another victory, this time against Latvia 3-0.

There is no doubt that, for this match, our prediction is a win for England.

Andorra vs. England Betting Pick: England

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers: Finland vs. Netherlands

Finland is in a tough group (Group G), as there are several candidates for first and second place in the standings. However, the team has managed to enter this matchday with one win and one draw in its first two matches.

In the first match, the Finnish national team won the away match against Malta with a score of 1-0. Then, in the second match, also away from home, they drew 2-2 against Lithuania. Now, they will have their first match at home against none other than the big favorites, the Netherlands.

On the other hand, the Netherlands will be making their debut in these qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The Dutch team was eliminated by Spain in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Nations League. Both matches ended in draws (2-2 and 3-3), so they had to go to a penalty shootout.

In the end, the Spanish team took the victory 5-4 on penalties. Now, with all their attention on these qualifiers, the Netherlands team is expected to perform exceptionally well and comfortably qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

That said, there is no doubt that, for this match, our betting selection is a win for the Netherlands.

Finland vs. Netherlands Betting Pick: Netherlands