As the first round of the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament kicks off on March 21, all eyes are on the matches that will set the tone for the upcoming months. Among the four matches scheduled for this day, the encounters between Andorra and Latvia, Cyprus and San Marino, Malta and Finland, and Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to deliver thrilling football.
In Andorra, the national team will face Latvia in what promises to be a challenging clash. With a history of underwhelming performances, Andorra recently made headlines with two victories in their last qualifying campaign. However, those came against San Marino, a team that has struggled even more. Currently, Andorra is on a disheartening 15-match winless streak, comprising three wins and twelve losses. Their inability to score in 14 out of their last 17 matches is troubling. With an average of at least three goals scored in seven of their previous nine qualifiers, the upcoming game is crucial for them to regain some competitive spirit.
Meanwhile, Latvia, finishing fifth in their last qualifying cycle with only two victories from ten matches, finds itself equally desperate. Their performance has shown some consistency, especially in their ability to avoid defeat in their last four away matches. The Latvians will be hard-pressed to break their streak not losing to Andorra in their previous eight meetings, but the pressure will be on both teams to secure a much-needed victory.
In Cyprus, the national squad will be hoping for a fresh start under newly appointed coach Apostolos Mantzios as they prepare to take on San Marino. Cyprus’s last qualifying cycle saw them finish fifth in their group, scoring just four goals in ten matches, which is concerning, given that their previous performances left much to be desired. The local squad, unable to secure a win in five of their last six home matches, will aim to turn their luck around. Providing an opportunity for San Marino, who has not registered a single point in their last ten qualifiers, with a staggering goal difference of 1:46 across this stretch. Their history makes them a significant underdog in this matchup.
Moving on to Malta, the national team hasn’t recorded a victory at the official level in their past three matches and for them, the upcoming match against Finland is a chance to turn things around. Malta has just one win from their last 24 matches in World Cup qualifiers, leaving doubts about their resilience. A mere five points from their last qualifying round has left them at the bottom, and they will need every bit of support from their home crowd in Ta' Qali to counter Finland's momentum. The Finnish team has struggled as well, having lost their last seven official matches but performed slightly better in their previous World Cup qualifying round.
Then there's the match between Romania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, slated to take place at the National Arena in Bucharest. Romania came close to reaching the playoffs in the last round, finishing third just one point behind North Macedonia. They have shown solid performances in home matches, not losing in seven of their last eight, which puts them in a favorable position going into this match. However, Bosnia and Herzegovina, after losing two consecutive matches in the last qualifying rounds, aims to change their fortune. The Bosnians have a reputation for scoring at least two goals during several previous encounters, making them a viable threat during this matchup.
Ultimately, March 21 marks a critical day for these teams as they seek to build momentum for a long tournament ahead. Each game will not only be a test of skill and strategy but will also serve as a barometer for the progress each team has made since their last competitive outings. Fans will be eager to see how their teams fare in what promises to be a gripping start to the World Cup qualifying cycle.
