92% chance of reaching the World Cup 2026 qualifying playoffs. This is how much the supercomputer Football Meets Data currently gives to the Ukrainian national team, which is among the top 7 most anticipated teams in the playoffs, writes the Telegram channel «Bombardir».
In such a case (2nd place) according to the ranking, we will be in the first pot, from which teams will play against those that can qualify through the Nations League*.
— Romania — 99.9%*
— Czech Republic — 99.9%
— Sweden — 99.8%*
— Poland — 99.8%
— Italy — 98%
— N. Macedonia — 94%*
— Ukraine — 92%
— Turkey — 90%
— N. Ireland — 86%*
— Scotland — 81%
— Hungary — 80%
— Albania — 79%
— Moldova — 75%*
— Wales — 72%*
— Slovakia — 47%
— Slovenia — 41%
But these are just numbers for now. Today Ukrainians must definitely beat Azerbaijan and hope that France will defeat Iceland away. Such results will guarantee us second place before the head-to-head match against Iceland, where a draw would then satisfy us.
If the Icelanders play a draw with France today, and before the last match we have the same number of points as they do, the higher will be the one with the better goal difference, not the advantage in head-to-head meetings, and that is currently Iceland.
Therefore, Ukraine needs to outpace its competitors in points or significantly improve the goal difference in the next two matches.
