A total of 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four or five, will compete for UEFA’s 16 spots in the 2026 World Cup. The journey kicks off with the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals in March 2025.
The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has officially begun for UEFA teams. Europe was the last region yet to start its qualification process for the global tournament, but after the group stage draw in Zurich, the path has been laid out.
This will be the largest qualification pool in UEFA history, with 48 teams competing for 16 spots, reflecting the expanded slots for the World Cup in this edition.
Group Assignments
- Group A: The winner of the Nations League quarterfinal between Italy and Germany will join Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg.
- Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Kosovo.
- Group C: The loser of the Denmark vs. Portugal quarterfinal will play alongside Greece, Scotland, and Belarus.
- Group D: The winner of Croatia vs. France will lead Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan.
- Group E: The winner of the Netherlands vs. Spain match will join Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria.
- Group F: The winner of Denmark vs. Portugal will compete with Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, and Armenia.
- Group G: The loser of Netherlands vs. Spain will face Poland, Lithuania, Finland, and Malta, starting the five-team groups.
- Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino.
- Group I: The loser of Italy vs. Germany will join Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova.
- Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein.
- Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.
- Group L: The loser of Croatia vs. France will play against Czechia, Montenegro, the Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.
When the Matches Will Be Played
The action begins in March 2025 with the Nations League quarterfinals:
- Italy vs. Germany
- Denmark vs. Portugal
- Croatia vs. France
- Netherlands vs. Spain
The playoff matches are scheduled for March 26 and March 31, 2025. The final tournament for playoff qualification will run from July 11 to July 19, 2025. The full list of qualified teams will be finalized by November 2025.
