The European or UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico is set to begin on 21st March 2025 and will continue for a year. The slots for Europe in the final tournament have increased from 13 to 16 teams with the World Cup expanded to 48 nations taking part. The modified qualification format will see a group stage featuring twelve groups of four to five teams with the group winners making it into the Finals directly. The runners-up from each group and the four best-group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League that finished outside the top two of their World Cup qualifying group will move into the playoffs or the second round of the qualifying stage. 54 teams will participate in the qualifiers for a chance to be in the historical World Cup 2026 except Russia who are suspended.
The UEFA qualifiers underwent significant changes due to the format change, with the starting dates adjusted to align with the 2024-25 Nations League. 24 teams will be competing in the Nations League at that time with eight in the knockouts and the remaining teams in the promotion/relegation playoffs. Hence, not all teams will start the qualifiers in March 2025.
Only one team participating in the Nations League, the losing quarterfinalists, was included in the five-team qualifying groups giving them free matchdays in the qualifiers after their Nations League campaign. The remaining four non-Nations League teams in those groups start their qualification campaign normally from the starting month. The quarterfinal winners of the Nations League will not start their qualifiers till September 2025 as the finals of that competition will take place in June of the same year. The groups with four teams will begin the qualifiers in this period. Group A-F start their qualifiers in September 2025 while G-L will begin five months early.
Group A
Winner Q4 Nations League (Germany vs Italy)
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
The quarterfinal winner between Germany and Italy in the Nations League will take on Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg in Group A with both being favourites to book their World Cup ticket directly. For Die Mannschaft, it will be their 21st appearance if they qualify while for Italy, it will be their first journey in the premier international competition since 2014. As an independent nation, Slovakia qualified for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and wishes to repeat the feat this time being slight favourites to take the second spot that will take them to the playoffs. Northern Ireland has appeared in three World Cups before and should they qualify it will be their first appearance in the 20th century. Luxembourg is an underdog in this group, having participated in every World Cup qualifier since 1934, yet they have not reached the finals.
Fixtures
5 September 2025
Luxembourg vs Northern Ireland (00:15)
Slovakia vs Winner Q4 Nations League (00:15)
8 September 2025
Luxembourg vs Slovakia (00:15)
Winner Q4 Nations League vs Northern Ireland (00:15)
11 October 2025
Northern Ireland vs Slovakia (00:15)
Winner Q4 Nations League vs Luxembourg (00:15)
14 October 2025
Luxembourg vs Winner Q4 Nations League (01:15)
Slovakia vs Northern Ireland (01:15)
18 November 2025
Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg (01:15)
Winner Q4 Nations League vs Slovakia (01:15)
Group B
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo
It will be an entertaining tussle between Switzerland and Sweden to take the automatic qualifying spot for the World Cup which will happen by winning the group. While Switzerland qualified for the last five finals, Sweden missed the previous edition hosted by Qatar. They will hope their in-demand striker Viktor Gyökeres fires them through after helping the Swedes earn promotion to Nations League Group B with the team also missing out on Euros early in 2024. However, the race for the top spot may involve a three-horse race with Slovenia hoping to pose a significant challenge after a memorable Euro Championship campaign in June 2024 even though their Nations League journey did not end as expected. Slovenia has participated in two World Cups as an independent nation, with their most recent campaign occurring in 2010. Meanwhile, Kosovo are hoping for a miracle to qualify for their first major tournament in history in only their third qualifying journey as an independent nation.
Fixtures
6 September 2025
Slovenia vs Sweden (00:15)
Switzerland vs Kosovo (00:15)
9 September 2025
Kosovo vs Sweden (00:15)
Switzerland vs Slovenia (00:15)
11 October 2025
Kosovo vs Slovenia (00:15)
Sweden vs Switzerland (00:15)
14 October 2025
Slovenia vs Switzerland (00:15)
Sweden vs Kosovo (00:15)
16 November 2025
Slovenia vs Kosovo (01:15)
Switzerland vs Sweden (01:15)
19 November 2025
Kosovo vs Switzerland (01:15)
Sweden vs Slovenia (01:15)
Group C
Loser QF3 Nations League (Portugal vs Denmark)
Greece
Scotland
Belarus
The losing team in the Nations League tie between Portugal and Denmark will make their place in Group C, predictably the Danes. That will make it a very interesting group with Greece and Scotland giving a tough battle for the top spot and even for the playoffs. The Danish Dynamite has participated in six World Cups and will hope to make a third straight qualification for the first time. However, a dull Euro campaign with concerning form could be seized upon by the Greeks aiming for a fourth World Cup and a first since 2014. The other candidate is the Tartan Army who are desperate to end their long wait to qualify for the Finals, last doing it in 1998. Steve Clark’s men came close to doing so in the previous qualification losing out to Ukraine in the playoffs in front of their home fans. There will be no expectation on Belarus and that might help them cause a few upsets, especially at home although it will be a mountain of a task having not qualified for a major tournament in history.
Fixtures
6 September 2025
Greece vs Belarus (00:15)
Loser QF3 Nations League vs Scotland (00:15)
9 September 2025
Belarus vs Scotland (00:15)
Greece vs Loser QF3 Nations League (00:15)
10 October 2025
Belarus vs Loser QF3 Nations League (00:15)
Scotland vs Greece (00:15)
13 October 2025
Scotland vs Belarus (21:30)
Loser QF3 Nations League vs Greece (00:15)
16 November 2025
Greece vs Scotland (01:15)
Loser QF3 Nations League vs Belarus (01:15)
19 November 2025
Belarus vs Greece (01:15)
Scotland vs Loser QF3 Nations League (01:15)
Group D
Winner QF2 Nations League (France vs Croatia)
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan
France or Croatia will be a part of Group D of the 2026 FIFA World Cup UEFA qualifiers with beatable opponents on paper i.e. Ukraine, Iceland and Azerbaijan. Most probably, Les Bleus will end up with this group as they look to make eight straight appearances having reached the tournament’s final in the past two editions. The battle for the playoffs will be the main focus point with Ukraine likely taking the spot as neither Iceland nor Azerbaijan look strong enough to beat them to the spot. They reached the playoff final last time by beating Scotland in the semis but were beaten by a resilient Wales. The Blue and Yellow made it to the Finals just once as an independent nation, coming in the 2006 edition where they remarkably reached the quarterfinals.
Fixtures
6 September 2025
Iceland vs Azerbaijan (00:15)
Ukraine vs Winner QF2 Nations League (00:15)
9 September 2025
Azerbaijan vs Ukraine (21:30)
10 September 2025
Winner QF2 Nations League vs Iceland (00:15)
11 October 2025
Iceland vs Ukraine (00:15)
Winner QF2 Nations League vs Azerbaijan (00:15)
14 October 2025
Iceland vs Winner QF2 Nations League (00:15)
Ukraine vs Azerbaijan (00:15)
14 November 2025
Azerbaijan vs Iceland (22:30)
Winner QF2 Nations League vs Ukraine (01:15)
17 November 2025
Azerbaijan vs Winner QF2 Nations League (22:30)
Ukraine vs Iceland (21:30)
Group E
Winner QF1 Nations League (Spain v Netherlands)
Turkey
Georgia
Bulgaria
Either Spain or the Netherlands will be placed in Group E based on the result of their National League quarterfinal tie and will be the favourites to seal a place in the group stage of the World Cup two years later. Leaving aside any shock, the unbeatable Euro winners are likely to be in this group alongside two teams that impressed in the competition Turkey and Georgia with Bulgaria being the fourth team in the mix. La Roja wants to repeat their incredible feat of winning the Euros and World Cup back-to-back by not failing to be in the Finals since 1978, knowing they will co-host the 2030 edition. The battle for the playoffs will be interesting to watch with the Turks and the Crusaders crossing paths again like in the Euros. While Vincenzo Montella’s men beat the competition debutants in the clash back in the summer and the side historically has World Cup experience by playing in the tournament twice, the Georgians could pull off a miracle again using their first major tournament qualification experience at the Euros with their talisman Kvicha Kvaretskhelia leading them. Bulgaria could not be looked down upon as they have appeared in the Finals seven times. Despite that, they are yet to qualify for the competition this century and have not qualified for a major competition since 2004.
Fixtures
6 September 2025
Georgia vs Turkey (00:15)
Bulgaria vs Winner QF1 Nations League (00:15)
8 September 2025
Georgia vs Bulgaria (18:30)
Turkey vs Winner QF1 Nations League (00:15)
12 October 2025
Bulgaria vs Turkey (00:15)
Winner QF1 Nations League vs Georgia (00:15)
15 October 2025
Turkey vs Georgia (00:15)
Winner QF1 Nations League vs Bulgaria (00:15)
16 November 2025
Georgia vs Winner QF1 Nations League (22:30)
Turkey vs Bulgaria (22:30)
19 November 2025
Bulgaria vs Georgia (01:15)
Winner QF1 Nations League vs Turkey (01:15)
Group F
Winner QF3 Nations League (Portugal vs Denmark)
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Armenia
Portugal, likely winners from their quarterfinal tie against Denmark, will face Hungary, Republic of Ireland and Armenia in their battle to win their group. The Selecao have seen an upward trend under Roberto Martinez keeping aside a disappointing Euro and are looking to seal a sixth straight World Cup appearance, eighth overall. This will be the last World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo and he would like to win the silverware for the perfect send-off of his unforgettable career. They should find little difficulty doing so with Hungary settling for the playoff spot. It will be a historical return for the Magyars if they manage to qualify for the World Cup having reached the final twice and not made it to the tournament since 1986. The Republic of Ireland has seen a sharp decline in their competitiveness since the last making it to a major tournament in 2016 and it will ask a lot out of them to end their wilderness at the world stage since their last appearance in 2002. Armenia are chasing their debut World Cup qualification but it will be a colossal task for them as well to escape from this tough group. They have played in the qualifiers in every single edition since 1994.
Fixtures
6 September 2025
Armenia vs Winner QF3 Nations League (21:30)
7 September 2025
Republic of Ireland vs Hungary (00:15)
9 September 2025
Armenia vs Republic of Ireland (21:30)
10 September 2025
Hungary vs Winner QF3 Nations League (00:15)
11 October 2025
Hungary vs Armenia (21:30)
12 October 2025
Winner QF3 Nations League vs Republic of Ireland (00:15)
15 October 2025
Republic of Ireland vs Armenia (00:15)
Winner QF3 Nations League vs Hungary (00:15)
13 November 2025
Armenia vs Hungary (22:30)
Republic of Ireland vs Winner QF3 Nations League (01:15)
16 November 2025
Hungary vs Republic of Ireland (19:30)
Winner QF3 Nations League vs Armenia (19:30)
Group G
Loser QF1 Nations League (Spain v Netherlands)
Poland
Finland
Lithuania
Malta
The losing team from the Nations League quarterfinal match between Spain and Netherlands will take place in Group G of the Euro qualifiers with the latter the likelier candidate to fit in the bracket. The Dutch returned to the world stage in 2022 under the guidance of Ronald Koeman even though he did not manage in the tournament but will want to build on the Euro semi-final run to help them make it there for the 11th time. They will face the Pols who will be looking for their third straight qualification and a 10th overall appearance in the World Cup but they will most likely have to go through the playoffs for that. Finland, Lithuania and Malta are unlikely to pose significant challenges although the away games against them could be tricky.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Malta vs Finland (00:15)
Poland vs Lithuania (00:15)
25 March 2025
Lithuania vs Finland (00:15)
Poland vs Malta (00:15)
7 June 2025
Malta vs Lithuania (00:15)
Finland vs Loser QF1 Nations League (00:15)
11 June 2025
Finland vs Poland (00:15)
Loser QF1 Nations League vs Malta (00:15)
5 September 2025
Lithuania vs Malta (00:15)
Loser QF1 Nations League vs Poland (00:15)
8 September 2025
Lithuania vs Loser QF1 Nations League (TBD)
Poland vs Finland (00:15)
10 October 2025
Finland vs Lithuania (00:15)
Malta vs Loser QF1 Nations League (00:15)
13 October 2025
Lithuania vs Poland (00:15)
Loser QF1 Nations League vs Finland (00:15)
14 November 2025
Finland vs Malta (22:30)
15 November 2025
Poland vs Loser QF1 Nations League (01:15)
18 November 2025
Malta vs Poland (01:15)
Loser QF1 Nations League vs Lithuania (01:15)
Group H
Austria
Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino
Austria has shown promise under Ralf Rangnick with an excellent Euro campaign in Germany and could make their place in the first World Cup since 1998. Even if they lose the top spot or miss the playoffs, Ragnick’s men could enter the second round of Euro qualifiers using their Nations League performance. Similarly, Romania could have a say in this with a commendable performance in Germany and a memorable Nations League campaign as they chase a first appearance in the Finals in 28 years. Bosnia and Herzegovina appeared for the World Cup only once in 2014 and are going through a rough patch but could still pose a considerable challenge for the playoff spot. Cyprus and the lowest-ranked team San Marino will have a difficult time. However, the latter caused a miracle by earning a promotion to League C of the Nations League which might help them a spot in the playoffs if they fail to do it normally through the qualifiers.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Cyprus vs San Marino (00:15)
Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (00:15)
25 March 2025
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Cyprus (00:15)
San Marino vs Romania (00:15)
7 June 2025
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs San Marino (18:30)
8 June 2025
Austria vs Romania (00:15)
11 June 2025
Romania vs Cyprus (00:15)
San Marino vs Austria (00:15)
7 September 2025
Austria vs Cyprus (00:15)
San Marino vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (00:15)
10 September 2025
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria (00:15)
Cyprus vs Romania (00:15)
10 October 2025
Austria vs San Marino (00:15)
Cyprus vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (00:15)
15 November 2025
Cyprus vs Austria (21:30)
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Romania (01:15)
19 November 2025
Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (01:15)
Romania vs San Marino (01:15)
Group I
Loser Q4 Nations League (Germany vs Italy)
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova
Norway should be favourites to take the playoff spot with Germany or Italy potentially winning this group with Israel, Estonia and Moldova being the underdogs. While Israel could have some tricks on their sleeves, the Lions should make it to the second round in the hope of qualifying for the first World Cup since 1998 and the first major tournament since 2000 possession star striker Erling Haaland and playmaker Martin Odegaard. Their recent Nations League show in which they earned promotion to League A could serve as motivation.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Moldova vs Norway (21:30)
23 March 2025
Romania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (00:15)
Israel vs Estonia (00:15)
26 March 2025
Israel vs Norway (00:15)
Moldova vs Estonia (00:15)
7 June 2025
Estonia vs Israel (00:15)
Norway vs Loser Q4 Nations League (00:15)
10 June 2025
Estonia vs Norway (00:15)
Loser Q4 Nations League vs Moldova (00:15)
6 September 2025
Moldova vs Israel (00:15)
Loser Q4 Nations League vs Estonia (00:15)
9 September 2025
Israel vs Loser Q4 Nations League (00:15)
Norway vs Moldova (00:15)
11 October 2025
Norway vs Israel (21:30)
12 October 2025
Estonia vs Loser Q4 Nations League (00:15)
15 October 2025
Estonia vs Moldova (00:15)
Loser Q4 Nations League vs Israel (00:15)
14 November 2025
Norway vs Estonia (01:15)
Moldova vs Loser Q4 Nations League (01:15)
17 November 2025
Israel vs Moldova (01:15)
Loser Q4 Nations League vs Norway (01:15)
Group J
Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein
The fight for the top of Group J is between Belgium and Wales with the former most likely winning this battle despite lacklustre form on the back of a terrible European Championship and Nations League. It will be the last World Cup of the Red Devil’s golden generation should they qualify and it would be embarrassing if they don’t make it to the Finals after qualifying for the last three editions. Crag Bellamy’s Wales will not stop without a fight hoping to make it to back-to-back World Cups after making their historical debut in Qatar two years ago. They also made significant moves by earning a promotion to the top tier of the Nations League ahead of a quality side like Turkey, however, their realistic target looks to be the playoff spot in the qualifiers. North Macedonia returned to League B in the competition through a solid campaign but only a fairytale story could earn them a top-two spot in the qualifiers. The side can navigate their way to the playoffs through their Nations League campaign. Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein are the other teams in the group, with only pride at stake.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Liechtenstein vs North Macedonia (19:30)
23 March 2025
Wales vs Kazakhstan (00:15)
26 March 2025
Liechtenstein vs Kazakhstan (00:15)
North Macedonia vs Wales (00:15)
7 June 2025
North Macedonia vs Belgium (00:15)
Wales vs Liechtenstein (00:15)
10 June 2025
Kazakhstan vs North Macedonia (20:30)
11 June 2025
Belgium vs Wales (00:15)
4 September 2025
Kazakhstan vs Wales (20:30)
5 September 2025
Liechtenstein vs Belgium (00:15)
7 September 2025
North Macedonia vs Liechtenstein (20:30)
8 September 2025
Belgium vs Kazakhstan (00:15)
10 October 2025
Kazakhstan vs Liechtenstein (20:30)
11 October 2025
Belgium vs North Macedonia (00:15)
14 October 2025
North Macedonia vs Kazakhstan (00:15)
Wales vs Belgium (00:15)
15 November 2025
Kazakhstan vs Belgium (20:30)
Liechtenstein vs Wales (22:30)
19 November 2025
Belgium vs Liechtenstein (01:15)
Wales vs North Macedonia (01:15)
Group K
England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra
England hopes to qualify for a 16th World Cup with few issues to tackle, kicking off a new era under renowned manager Thomas Tuchel. The Three Lions are drawn into an easy group but will have to fend off Serbia’s challenge who shared the spoils with them in the Euro Championship. The Serbs are willing to make it to a fourth World Cup and for the third straight time but have to come through the playoffs to do so, provided they don’t give the two-time Euro finalist a major shock. Albania could be a tricky customer as they have the potential to upset big sides although facing relegation to League C of the Nations League comes as a blow to the side. Latvia and Andorra will be trying their best to avoid humiliation.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Andorra vs Latvia (00:15)
England vs Albania (00:15)
25 March 2025
Albania vs Andorra (00:15)
England vs Latvia (00:15)
7 June 2025
Andorra vs England (21:30)
Albania vs Serbia (00:15)
11 June 2025
Latvia vs Albania (00:15)
Serbia vs Andorra (00:15)
6 September 2025
Latvia vs Serbia (19:30)
England vs Andorra (21:30)
10 September 2025
Albania vs Latvia (00:15)
Serbia vs England (00:15)
11 October 2025
Latvia vs Andorra (19:30)
12 October 2025
Serbia vs Albania (00:15)
15 October 2025
Andorra vs Serbia (00:15)
Latvia vs England (00:15)
14 November 2025
Andorra vs Albania (01:15)
England vs Serbia (01:15)
16 November 2025
Albania vs England (22:30)
Serbia vs Latvia (22:30)
Group L
Loser QF2 Nations League (France vs Croatia)
Czech Republic
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Croatia could end up in Group L and will be favourites to make it to a sixth World Cup since gaining independence in 1991. Zlatko Dalic’s side had a forgetful Euro and not-so-convincing Nations League amid reaching the quarterfinals. Despite that, the Vatreni should be strong enough to finish over the Czech Republic who are predictably making it to the playoffs. The Czechs have made it just one World Cup as an independent nation, having made it to eight World Cups as part of Czechoslovakia, with the last coming in 2006. Ivan Hašek’s team could end their long wait for the Finals earning promotion to League A in the Nations League despite making a poor display in the Euros. Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar are three weaker sides in the group having not qualified for the World Cup in their history.
Fixtures
22 March 2025
Montenegro vs Gibraltar (21:30)
23 March 2025
Czech Republic vs Faroe Islands (00:30)
26 March 2025
Gibraltar vs Czech Republic (00:30)
Montenegro vs Faroe Islands (00:30)
7 June 2025
Czech Republic vs Montenegro (00:30)
Gibraltar vs Loser QF2 Nations League (00:30)
10 June 2025
Faroe Islands vs Gibraltar (00:30)
Loser QF2 Nations League vs Czech Republic (00:30)
6 September 2025
Faroe Islands vs Loser QF2 Nations League (00:30)
Montenegro vs Czech Republic (00:30)
9 September 2025
Gibraltar vs Faroe Islands (00:30)
Loser QF2 Nations League vs Montenegro (00:30)
12 October 2025
Faroe Islands vs Czech Republic (21:30)
13 October 2025
Loser QF2 Nations League vs Gibraltar (00:30)
15 November 2025
Gibraltar vs Montenegro (01:15)
Loser QF2 Nations League vs Faroe Islands (01:15)
18 November 2025
Czech Republic vs Gibraltar (01:15)
Montenegro vs Loser QF2 Nations League (01:15)
