Europe 2026 World Cup Qualifiers Draw Revealed

As they start a new era under head coach Thomas Tuchel, England will be looking to continue their strong World Cup qualifying record, having participated in every tournament since missing out on the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Their opening match at Euro 2024 is against Serbia, a team they defeated 1-0 in their last meeting thanks to a goal from Jude Bellingham.

The qualifying matches will take place from March to November next year.

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The group winners will secure a direct spot in the World Cup in North America, while the runners-up in each of the 12 qualifying groups will have a second chance through the play-offs. Europe will contribute 16 teams to the expanded 48-team competition.

However, the full details of the groups are not yet finalized, as the outcome of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals in March will affect the draw.

These quarter-finals feature Spain against the Netherlands, Germany vs. Italy, Portugal vs. Denmark, and France vs. Croatia.

The teams’ placement in the groups will depend on whether they advance to the Nations League semi-finals next June or are eliminated.

Should France reach the Nations League final four, they will be placed in a group with Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan.

If they are knocked out by Croatia in the quarter-finals, they will move to Group L with the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.

Spain, the current European champions and Nations League winners, will face Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria if they overcome the Netherlands.

If Spain loses, they will be placed in Group G with Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta.

Six groups, each with five teams, will begin qualifying in March, while the six groups of four teams will start in September.

Scotland, aiming to qualify for their first World Cup since 1998, have been drawn into Group C, where they will face Greece, Belarus, and the loser of the Portugal-Denmark Nations League quarter-final. Greece and Scotland will also meet in a play-off next March to determine their position in the next Nations League edition.

Wales, drawn in Group J, will face Belgium once again, as they did in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. They will also play North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein.

Full Draw for the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers (made in Zurich on Friday):

Group A: Winner of Germany vs. Italy Nations League quarter-final, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League quarter-final, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner of France vs. Croatia Nations League quarter-final, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain vs. Netherlands Nations League quarter-final, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League quarter-final, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of Spain vs. Netherlands Nations League quarter-final, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of Germany vs. Italy Nations League quarter-final, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser of France vs. Croatia Nations League quarter-final, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar