The vice-champions of the world hope indeed to consolidate their wide first place, Thursday in Paris against Ireland, and get closer to the competition that will take place in Germany from June 14 to July 14 next year. Because the Blues have already made a full card with four wins in four games.

In the same Group B, the Netherlands are also serious contenders for one of the two qualifying places. But they are already in an awkward position, even though they have only played two games (one win, one loss).

Any result other than a win on Thursday at home against Greece, who have already taken six points out of nine, would intensify the pressure on the 2022 World Cup quarter-finalists.

In Group A, Spain must also avoid cold sweats, it after disappointing in Qatar (elimination by Morocco in the knockout stages) has already suffered a defeat against a direct competitor, Scotland and its insolent success (four wins in four games).

The disappointment of Spanish striker Joselu after a save by Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn in a Euro 2024 football qualifier on March 28, 2023 in Glasgow. Scotland beat Spain 2-0 © that night ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP/Archives

She is certainly approaching easy appointments on paper, traveling to Georgia on Friday before hosting Cyprus on Tuesday. But Erling Haaland's Norway could play elbows to finish in the top two. Even though the Scandinavians have disappointed with only one draw and one win in four rounds, they have the opportunity to score three points by hosting Georgia on Tuesday.

Revenge for Italy?

In Group C, Gareth Southgate's England, the reigning European runner-up, are in a chair to qualify with 12 points, but will have to be serious on Saturday to face Ukraine in Poland.

The selection in the yellow and blue jersey will be a thorn in the side of the Italians, winners of Euro-2021, who lost to England, and must turn the page after the departure of coach Roberto Mancini, who left for Saudi Arabia under a bronca and replaced by Luciano Spalletti.

Roberto Mancini speaks to the Italian players during Squadra Azzurra's 2-0 win over Malta in the Euro 2024 qualifiers on March 26, 2023. The Italian coach has since left his post to move to Saudi Arabia, leaving the keys of the Nazionale to Luciano Spalletti © Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP/Archives

Before facing Ukraine on Tuesday at home, the Squadra Azzurra will have had the opportunity on Saturday to take revenge in North Macedonia, after the trauma of the elimination in the play-offs of the World Cup-2022 (defeat 0-1 on a goal conceded in the 92nd minute).

Croatia, semi-finalists in Qatar, will have to work in Group D (four points in two games). For now, the lead is occupied by Turkey (nine points in four games), while Wales, orphaned by Gareth Bale, have taken only four points in four games. To regain first place, the team led by Modric is legitimately aiming for two victories by hosting Latvia before moving to Armenia.

Luka Modric (centre) with teammates Marcelo Brozovic (left) and Mateo Kovacic on March 28, 2023 after Croatia's 2-0 win in Turkey in the Euro 2024 football © qualifier OZAN KOSE / AFP/Archives

In Group F, Belgium (seven points from three games) has the opportunity to fill up in Azerbaijan on Saturday and host Estonia on Tuesday. It is Austria who dominate for the moment this undecided group with 10 points, and the clash scheduled for Tuesday against a Sweden already in difficulty (three points in three games), could prove decisive for the qualification.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, leaders of Group J with four wins in as many games, could greatly advance towards qualification on Friday against runners-up Slovakia or Monday against Luxembourg.

© 2023 AFP