The road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 has officially begun for Europe’s 54 national teams following the UEFA Preliminary Draw, held at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich.
This historic edition of the tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will feature 48 teams for the first time, with UEFA allocated a record-high 16 qualification spots.
Scheduled to begin in March 2025 and conclude in November 2025, the UEFA qualifying campaign will see teams battle across 12 groups of four or five nations. Group winners will secure an automatic spot at the World Cup, while the remaining four places will be determined in March 2026 through a play-off system involving 16 teams.
In a familiar yet competitive format, the play-offs will include the 12 group runners-up and the four best-ranked UEFA Nations League 2024/25 group winners who neither secured direct qualification nor entered the play-offs as runners-up. This ensures a fair but challenging route to the prestigious tournament.
Some highly anticipated clashes are already guaranteed, with England set to face Serbia and Albania, Switzerland taking on Sweden, and Belgium meeting Wales in what promises to be thrilling encounters. The stakes are high, and every match could shape the fate of Europe’s finest on their journey to the global stage.
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Notably, some groups lack a confirmed Pot 1 team as of now, with final assignments depending on the results of the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals in March 2025. This added layer of suspense ensures that teams and fans alike remain eager for the upcoming announcements.
As the draw unfolds, excitement is building for what promises to be a fierce competition. With 16 spots up for grabs, UEFA teams face their largest-ever opportunity to make history in the expanded tournament format. The qualifying process will test endurance, strategy, and talent, with nations seeking to prove they belong among the elite.
The journey to FIFA World Cup 2026 will showcase Europe’s rich football tradition while introducing new dynamics to the competition. Fans will witness rivalries reignited and rising stars attempting to leave their mark on the sport’s biggest stage.
March 2025 will mark the beginning of this journey, with the group stage set to deliver dramatic moments as nations vie for the coveted World Cup berths. Teams will need consistency, skill, and resilience to overcome challenges and claim their place in the expanded tournament.
As the countdown continues, UEFA’s qualifying campaign serves as the perfect prelude to the drama, excitement, and passion that only the FIFA World Cup can deliver. For Europe’s hopefuls, the journey has begun, and the dream of lifting the trophy in 2026 has never been closer—or more competitive.
Group A
Winner Germany-Italy (UNL QF4)
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
Group B
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo
Group C
Defeated team Portugal-Denmark (UNL QF3)
Greece
Scotland
Belarus
Group D
Winner France-Croatia (UNL QF2)
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan
Group E
Winner Spain-Netherlands (UNL QF1)
Türkiye
Georgia
Bulgaria
Malta
Group F
Winner Portugal-Denmark (UNL QF3)
Hungary
Republic of
Ireland Armenia
Group G
Defeated team Spain-Netherlands (UNL QF1)
Poland
Finland
Lithuania
Group H
Austria
Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino
Group I
Defeated team Germany-Italy (UNL QF4)
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova
Group J
Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein
Group K
England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra
Group L
Defeated team France-Croatia (UNL QF2)
Czechia
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar