FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Draw: Groups, Fixtures, and Key Highlights

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw is here and the excitement is off the charts for the historic competition to unfold. Three teams already qualified for the battle of heavyweights in 2026 are the hosts Canada, Mexico and United States. A total slot of 16 teams are available for UEFA teams in the World Cup.

With a change in rules from this edition of the World Cup Qualifying, there will be 12 groups of four or five teams, who will play home-and-away fixtures against other teams in the groups. The table toppers from each group will qualify for the World Cup whereas the runners-up and four best Nations League group winners based on the official rankings will be drawn in the second round play-off stage for the World Cup.

When are the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers scheduled?

The European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will begin in March 2025 and end in March 2026 with play-offs. The groups with six teams will be starting the Matchday 1 earlier than groups with four teams. Starting from March 21, 2025, Matchday 1 for groups G-L will be started whereas for groups A-F, Matchday 1 will be starting from September 4, 2025.

The final matchday for all the groups is scheduled for 16-18 November 2025. The Play-offs will be held in March of 2026. The semi-finals will be contested on March 26, 2026, whereas the finals will be held on March 31, 2026.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group A

The group stage draws were held for the World Cup 2026 Qualifiers on December 13, 2025. The first group has Northern Ireland, Luxembourg, Slovakia and the winner of Italy vs Germany from the UEFA Nations League Quarter final.

The group will begin in September 2025 and will showcase high-octane footballing action as teams like Slovakia and Northern Ireland look to capitalize on drawing with teams like Luxembourg. It remains to be seen who will join the group as Italy VS Germany promises to be another thriller in the UEFA Nations League Semi-finals. The Semi-finals will be a two-legged game on March 20, 2025, and the second leg is scheduled for March 23, 2025.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group B

Group B showcases Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Kosovo in action. According to early predictions, Switzerland and Slovenia might be the two teams going forward. Slovenia has previously performed exceptionally well in the recent EURO 2024 campaign and would look to capitalize on that performance.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group C

Group C offers another fiery list of matches as Greece, Scotland and Belarus will be covering the Group C alongside the loser of the third Quarter Final played between Portugal and Denmark in the UEFA Nations League campaign.

Scotland’s manager Steve Clarke has high hopes for his team which has been tremendous with their recent form. Speaking of Portugal and Denmark, it will be a close affair between the two at the Nations League Quarter finals.

Also Read: Official: Saudi Arabia to host 2034 FIFA World Cup, know everything

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group D

Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan, and the winner of the Nations League Quarter Final between France and Croatia make up the Group D of the WC 2026 Qualifiers. Iceland would look to dominate the group and become a dark horse in the tournament by reaching the next stage.

Croatia and France have been underwhelming in their recent performances so it seems a bit unpredictable to guess the winner.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group E

Group E will be having several unpredictable and thrilling matches as nations like Georgia and Turkey will be a part of the group alongside Bulgaria and the winner between Spain and Netherlands from the Nations League Quarter Finals.

Georgia and Turkey have been phenomenal in the past and it would be exciting to see both the underrated teams going at it for the World Cup. Spain and Netherlands have been prominent in attack and would surely have an exciting outing at the UEFA Nations League.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group F

Republic of Ireland would be starting their qualifying campaign in Group F starting with Hungary, Armenia, and the winner of Portugal-Denmark from the UEFA Nations League Quarter-finals.

Portugal is a heavy favorite to win in this group after defeating Denmark in the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals. Republic of Ireland might look to finish at the top position or advance to the play-offs after being drawn into this group.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group G

From Group G onwards, a total of five teams will go at it with same rules and regulations. Group G offers Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta and the loser of the Spain-Netherlands clash at the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals.

Robert Lewandowski’s army would look to dominate the group and would surely aim for direct qualification. The losers from the Quarter Finals would surely look to reach the play-offs stage or might end up winning the group stage as the Netherlands and Spain are tough sides with prominent attacks and exceptional defenses.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group H

Group H features teams including Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino. With most of the teams having unpredictable playing styles, the group might have several upsets and shockers. However, Austria and Romania might clinch the top two spots despite facing tough competition.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw- Group I

Erling Haaland’s Norway would look to enter the World Cup 2026 in style as Group I will feature Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova and the Loser from Germany-Italy clash from the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals.

The losers from the quarter-finals will be also crucial in the Group I as Italy and Germany are two strong sides who might spoil the party for Norway.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group J

Group J will be another spicy group with huge matches in store as Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein will battle it out to determine who will go forward.

Wales have previously defeated Belgium at the Euro 2016 campaign and will look to produce another shocker against an out-of-form Belgium side.

Also Read: UEFA Nations League draw results: fixtures and schedule for knockout stage and play-offs

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group K

Thomas Tuchel’s England will be looking to assert dominance in Group K as they will be facing Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra. England have had good stats against all the teams in Group K except Latvia, who they have never played.

However, England’s misfortune has always seen them on the losing end. It remains to be seen how England’s campaign will turn out to be this time.

World Cup 2026 Qualifying Draw – Group L

The final group will showcase the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar and the loser from the France-Croatia clash in the UEFA Nations League Quarterfinals.

The group might have a surprise upset or shocking win in store as Czech Republic would look to dominate among the other teams alongside the losers from Croatia and France.

As exciting as the groups look, it will be electrifying to see these nations collide for the world’s biggest prize as the FIFA World Cup 2026 will hosted live by Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The World Cup 2026 Qualifiers will be starting from March of 2025 and will conclude on March of 2026 adding more hype and excitement to the ultimate FIFA World Cup 2026.