The 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers will be intense and full of competition. Big teams will fight to secure their spots, while newer challengers will try to cause some surprises. Every game will matter as these teams battle for a place in the World Cup.
This guide will help you understand the groups, matchups, and what to watch as Europe fights its way through the UEFA World Cup Qualifiers toward the big tournament.
Key Takeaways
- 54 teams are competing for 16 spots in the 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers.
- 12 groups with top teams like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy have high chances to qualify.
- Some groups, like Group C (Denmark) and Group J (Belgium), are expected to be tougher.
- Second-place teams and some Nations League teams will have a second chance through the playoffs.
- Hungary, Norway, and Romania are teams to watch in the playoffs with the potential to surprise.
Overview of the 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers
The 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers are setting the stage with 54 teams fighting for 16 spots. These teams are divided into 12 groups, creating plenty of European competition.
54 teams competing for 16 spots
In the 2026 European World Cup qualifications, 54 teams from across Europe are competing for 16 spots, making every match crucial. The teams are divided into 12 groups of varying sizes, with the top team from each group securing an automatic spot in the World Cup. Teams finishing second have the chance to advance through the playoffs.
Teams are divided into 12 groups
The qualifiers have 54 teams fighting for just 16 spots in the World Cup. These teams are split into 12 groups. Some groups have four teams, while others include five. Each group will compete to earn a spot in the tournament.
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg |
| B | Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo |
| C | Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus |
| D | France, Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan |
| E | Spain, Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria |
| F | Portugal, Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia |
| G | Spain, Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta |
| H | Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino |
| I | Germany, Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova |
| J | Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein |
| K | England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra |
| L | France, Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar |
FIFA European World Cup Qualifiers: Group-by-Group Overview
The 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers will see European teams competing for a place in the prestigious tournament. Let’s take a closer look at each group and what we can expect.
Group A
Germany and Italy are the standout teams in Group A. Germany, with experienced players like Manuel Neuer and Joshua Kimmich, is expected to lead the group. Italy, known for its tactical approach and players like Leonardo Bonucci and Marco Verratti, will also be a tough contender.
Slovakia will fight for second place, with Marek Hamsik leading the team. They’ll need to deliver strong performances to secure a playoff spot. Northern Ireland and Luxembourg face tough tasks, but they’ll give it their best shot, which could still cause some surprises.
Group B
Switzerland is the favorite in Group B, with a reputation for strong defense and a solid all-around team. Key players like Xherdan Shaqiri and Yann Sommer make them a tough side to break down. Sweden will challenge for second place, with star players like Zlatan Ibrahimović and Emil Forsberg bringing experience and skill to the team.
Slovenia and Kosovo will have a harder time competing with the top two teams, though Slovenia has a slight edge, thanks to players like Jan Oblak and Bojan Jokić. Both teams will need standout performances to have a chance of progressing.
Group C
Portugal and Denmark are the top teams in Group C. Portugal has a strong, talented squad with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Dias, making them favorites to win the group. Denmark, with a well-organized team led by Christian Eriksen and Kasper Schmeichel, will also be fighting hard for the top spot.
Greece, Scotland, and Belarus will compete for second place. Greece is expected to be the strongest contender after Denmark, with key players like Giorgos Masouras and Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Scotland and Belarus will have to bring their best to challenge for second, but it will be tough to beat the top two teams.
Group D
France, as the current World Cup champions, are the big favorites in Group D. With a talented squad featuring stars like Kylian Mbappé, Antoine Griezmann, and N’Golo Kanté, they should top the group without much trouble. Their strength comes from a solid defense and powerful attack, making them a tough team to beat.
Croatia will compete for second place, with key players like Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić leading the team. They’ll be up against Ukraine, who also have strong players like Andriy Yarmolenko and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Both teams will fight for a spot in the playoffs.
Iceland and Azerbaijan are the underdogs in this group. While Iceland has players like Gylfi Sigurðsson, both teams will face a tough challenge against the stronger sides.
Group E
Spain and the Netherlands are the big names in Group E, both having strong squads and expected to compete for the top spot. Spain has key players like Sergio Busquets, Gerard Piqué, and Ansu Fati, while the Netherlands relies on talent such as Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, and Memphis Depay.
Turkey will challenge for second place but will need to stay consistent, with Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Cengiz Ünder playing key roles. Georgia and Bulgaria have tough odds in this competitive group, but players like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for Georgia and Krasimir Balakov for Bulgaria will give their best to challenge the top teams.
Group F
Portugal and Denmark are the top teams in Group F. Portugal has a strong team with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Dias, making them the favorites to win the group.
Denmark, with key players like Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel, and Andreas Christensen, will give Portugal a tough fight for first place.
Hungary, Ireland, and Armenia are considered underdogs, but they’ll still compete hard for second place. Hungary, led by Dominik Szoboszlai, Ireland with Seamus Coleman, and Armenia, featuring Henrikh Mkhitaryan, will look to challenge the top teams.
Group G
Spain and the Netherlands are the top teams in Group G and will be aiming to win the group. Spain, with players like Sergio Busquets and Gerard Piqué, has a solid team, while the Netherlands, led by Virgil van Dijk and Memphis Depay, will also be tough opponents.
Poland will be fighting for second place, with Robert Lewandowski as their key player. Their ability to stay consistent will be important in securing that spot.
Finland, Lithuania, and Malta will face a tough challenge, but they will still give their best and hope to surprise the stronger teams.
Group H
Austria is the favorite in Group H, with a strong team that includes players like David Alaba and Marko Arnautović. Romania will be their main challenger for the top spot, with players such as Nicolae Stanciu and George Pușcaș leading the way. If Romania performs well throughout the qualifiers, they could give Austria a run for their money.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino are the outsiders in this group, but they’ll still give it their best shot. Bosnia has some quality players like Edin Džeko, while Cyprus and San Marino will need standout performances to compete with the stronger teams.
Group I
Italy is the clear favorite in Group I, with a strong squad led by players like Leonardo Bonucci and Marco Verratti. They are expected to top the group with little trouble.
Norway will fight for second place, with players like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard giving them a good chance to secure a playoff spot.
Israel, Estonia, and Moldova will have a tough time challenging for the top spots. They’ll need some strong performances to compete with the likes of Italy and Norway.
Group J
Belgium is the favorite in Group J with a strong team that includes stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois. They are expected to top the group easily.
Wales and North Macedonia will fight for second place. Wales, with players like Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, has a slight advantage due to their experience in big tournaments.
North Macedonia will need to step up their game to secure a playoff spot. With key players like Elif Elmas and Goran Pandev, they will try their best to challenge for qualification, but Wales may have the edge.
Group K
England is the favorite in Group K with a strong team, including players like Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, and Jordan Henderson. They’ve been performing well recently and are expected to lead the group.
Serbia and Albania will battle for second place. Serbia, with players like Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Tadić, has a solid squad, while Albania, led by Shkëlzen Gashi and Sokol Cikalleshi, will need to perform well against each other to secure second.
Latvia and Andorra are the underdogs in this group, facing a tough challenge to qualify.
Group L
Croatia is the favorite in Group L, with experienced players like Luka Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, and Mario Mandžukić. They are expected to top the group.
The Czech Republic will fight for second place, with key players like Vladimír Darida and Patrik Schick leading the way.
Montenegro, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar will have a tough time competing with the top two teams but will still give their best shot for qualification.
Final Thoughts on 2026 European World Cup Qualifiers
The big teams like Germany, France, Spain, and Italy will likely make it to the 2026 World Cup without much trouble. But with more spots open, smaller countries have a better chance than before. If you’re more interested in football, you can read about the best young football players in the world.
The playoffs will be really important, with teams like Hungary, Norway, and Romania fighting hard to get through. It promises to be an interesting selection process, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see who will make it to the big tournament.
FAQs About UEFA World Cup Qualifiers 2026
The 2026 European World Cup qualifiers are the official UEFA football matches where European national teams compete for a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament in North America.
Groups in the 2026 UEFA qualifiers are determined through a FIFA ranking-based draw. This draw ensures balanced competition by grouping teams according to their UEFA coefficient and FIFA world rankings.
The official UEFA website, FIFA.com, and leading sports news platforms publish detailed fixtures, including match dates, venues, and kickoff times shortly after the qualifying groups are confirmed.
Each team in the 2026 European qualifiers plays home and away matches against all other teams in their group. The group winners earn direct qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026, while second-placed teams enter the playoffs for another chance to qualify.
UEFA, the governing body for European football, organizes and manages the European World Cup qualifiers. UEFA sets the rules, oversees the draw, and schedules all matches involving European national teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification.
