More

England among nations to learn 2026 World Cup qualifying fates

The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw has been completed
The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw has been completedFABRICE COFFRINI / AFP
The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw for Europe has taken place in Zurich, with England facing a tricky tie with Serbia while Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all learned their fates.

The Three Lions will be attempting to qualify for their first tournament under German manager Thomas Tuchel and have been handed fixtures against Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.

Scotland have been drawn in a group with either Portugal or Denmark, Greece and Belarus.

Northern Ireland will face either Germany or Italy, Slovakia and Luxembourg, while the Republic of Ireland were drawn with Portugal or Denmark, Hungary and Armenia.

Wales face a repeat of their historic Euro 2016 quarter-final against Belgium, while also being pitted with North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.

Some nations still have to play UEFA Nations League fixtures in March and therefore will be drawn into their respective qualifying groups depending on their results in those matches - this has been marked in the groups as either the winner or loser of the tie.

World Cup qualifying groups

Group A: Germany OR Italy (winner), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg

Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo

Group C: Portugal OR Denmark (loser), Greece, Scotland, Belarus

Group D: France OR Croatia (winner), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan

Group E: Spain OR Netherlands (winner), Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria

Group F: Portugal OR Denmark (winner), Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia

Group G: Spain OR Netherlands (loser), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta

Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino

Group I: Germany OR Italy (loser), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova

Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein

Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra

Group L: France OR Croatia (loser), Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar

The format

The group stage begins in March 2025 and lasts until November, with the top team in every group earning a spot at the World Cup. The twelve runners-up and the four best Nations League group winners that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group will take part in the play-offs in March 2026.

As the 2026 World Cup has been expanded to fit 48 teams, the qualifying stage also features more nations with the aforementioned 12 groups.

Where is the World Cup being held?

The 2026 World Cup is set to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico between June 11th to July 19th.