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The Digest:

Several traditional football powerhouses, including four-time champions Italy and African giants Nigeria, are facing the real possibility of missing the 2026 World Cup amid unexpectedly challenging qualifying campaigns.

Key Points:
  • Italy: Four-time champions risk missing third consecutive World Cup after 3-0 defeat to Norway
  • Germany: Struggling with inconsistent form, including loss to Slovakia
  • Belgium: "Golden Generation" fading with crucial match against Wales deciding fate
  • Ivory Coast: Must win remaining matches to avoid dropping into second-place battle
  • Cameroon: Trailing Cape Verde by four points with little margin for error
  • Nigeria: Super Eagles need miracle, sitting six points behind South Africa with one game remaining
The qualification struggles highlight the increasing competitiveness of global football and the end of automatic qualification for traditional powerhouses.

Sources: Vanguard Newspapers