David Moller Wolfe’s assist on Thursday evening has helped Norway to all-but secure a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in north America.
Several spots at next summer’s tournament are set to be decided this week as World Cup qualification heats up, and there are many Wolves players who are hoping to lead their countries to glory.
As the international action builds up over the next week, wolves.co.uk is on hand to round-up everything which has featured an Old Gold player so far, while also looking ahead to what is coming up.
David Moller Wolfe & Jorgen Strand Larsen | Norway 4-1 Estonia
Although his Wolves minutes have been limited this season, as Norway’s first-choice left-back, Wolfe was back in the starting line-up for his country on Thursday evening, while Jorgen Strand Larsen was an unused substitute, as they looked to put one foot in next summer’s World Cup. Having been dominant throughout their qualification campaign, with six wins from six, Norway made it seven from seven against Estonia, with Wolfe assisting the fourth goal in a 4-1 win. A cross from Antonio Nusa was flicked on at the near post by the Wolves defender to Erling Haaland who hammered home on the volley from close range. The victory leaves Norway top of UEFA Group I, three points ahead of Italy who they play on Sunday evening (7.45pm). However, Norway has a greater goal difference of 17 over the Italians, meaning anything over than a 9-0 loss will see Wolfe and Strand Larsen's country qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
Tolu Arokodare | Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
Another Wolves player who is just one game away from the World Cup is Tolu Arokodare, after he was part of the Nigeria team who claimed victory over Gabon in the CAF play-off semi-finals on Thursday afternoon. Starting on the bench, Arokodare had to watch his country concede a 89th minute equaliser to former Old Gold skipper Mario Lemina, however, Nigeria were dominant in extra time thanks to two goals from Victor Osimhen, who Arokodare replaced in the closing moments of the match. The win sees Nigeria progress into the play-off final on Sunday (7pm) where they will face DR Congo and hope to claim the one remaining African World Cup spot.
Jackson Tchatchoua | Cameroon 0-1 DR Congo
There could have been two Wolves players going up against each other in Sunday’s CAF play-off final if only Jackson Tchatchoua’s Cameroon hadn’t conceded an added time decider against DR Congo in the other semi-final. The Old Gold right-back played the entire contest out in Morocco, but he could do nothing to stop former Newcastle man Chancel Mbemba from finding the net with one of the last kicks of the game to secure DR Congo a place in the final against Nigeria.
Tawanda Chirewa | Algeria 3-1 Zimbabwe
Having not managed to qualify for the World Cup, Zimbabwe are in friendly action this week, with their usual captain and Wolves midfielder Marshall Munetsi requesting to remain at Compton Park to spend more time with new head coach Rob Edwards. Tawanda Chirewa will also be returning to the training ground on Monday after asking to be released from international duty early, but not after scoring his third goal in 11 appearances for his country. With Zimbabwe 3-0 down at the break, the Wolves forward was brought on to play the second half and finished the game by stepping up to net from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box.
Elsewhere
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde played the entire 90 minutes in the early hours of Friday morning as Haiti continued their push to reach the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica. Haiti are back on eight points but trail Honduras on goal difference at the top of a tight CONCACAF Group C table with just one match remaining. Bellegarde’s side now face Nicaragua in the final group game on Wednesday (1am), knowing a win is needed, and for results to go their way, if they are to either top their group or be one of the best two runners-up.
Jose Sa temporarily departed the Portugal camp earlier this week following a bereavement in his family. The goalkeeper missed his country’s 2-0 World Cup qualification loss to Republic of Ireland but is expected to return in preparation for their final group game with Armenia on Sunday (2pm). The thoughts of everyone at Wolves are with Jose and his family.
Coming up
Hee Chan Hwang is back in the South Korea squad for their pair of friendly matches on home soil, as they face Bolivia at 11am this morning, before a game with Ghana on Tuesday, while Emmanual Agbadou and the Ivory Coast are also set for two friendlies either side of the weekend, with their first against Saudi Arabia this afternoon (4.30pm).
Uruguay and Colombia have also booked their place at the World Cup next year, so Santiago Bueno and Jhon Arias are preparing for international friendlies with their respective countries this week. Bueno and Uruguay are taking on Mexico (1am), while Arias and Colombia host New Zealand (12am), both on Sunday morning.
