The draw for the 2026 World Cup European qualifiers took place on Friday, setting up exciting matchups as teams fight for a spot in the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. One of the most anticipated clashes is the rematch between Albania and Serbia, a match that was interrupted before due to a drone incident. Some teams are still not confirmed yet, as they are still playing in the Nations League playoffs.
Here’s how the groups look:
Group A: Winner of Germany vs. Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs. Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner of France vs. Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain vs. Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs. Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of Spain vs. Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of Germany vs. Italy, 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, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
How the Qualifiers Work
There are six groups with four teams and six groups with five teams. Teams will play each other home and away, just like in previous qualifiers.
The top team in each group will go straight to the World Cup, while the second-place teams will go to the playoffs, along with four teams from the Nations League. These 16 teams will be drawn into four paths, each with a semifinal and a final to decide who qualifies.
When Are the Matches?
The World Cup qualifiers will be held during five international windows:
- March 21-25, 2025
- June 6-10, 2025
- September 4-9, 2025
- October 9-14, 2025
- November 13-18, 2025
Teams will play no more than eight qualifying matches, with the option to play friendly games on the other dates.
Some teams will begin in March, while others will start in June. Groups with four teams won’t begin until September. Teams that reach the Nations League quarterfinals will also start in September.
The playoff matches will take place from March 26-31, 2026.
When and Where Will the World Cup Take Place?
The 2026 World Cup will start on June 11 in Mexico City and finish on July 19 in New Jersey. This tournament, expanded to 48 teams, will last for 39 days, a record for the World Cup.
For the first time, there will be 12 groups of four teams, followed by a knockout phase with 32 teams. This will be the biggest World Cup ever, and the road to qualification is now officially underway.
