A host of crunch clashes will unfold in UEFA qualifying for FIFA World Cup 26™ in September, as several nations aim to take significant steps towards booking their tickets to the global finals.
Groups A to F will get under way, with the likes of European champions Spain and 2022 World Cup runners-up France set to begin their campaigns. Groups G to L, meanwhile, kicked off earlier this year and the tables are taking shape. Find out how things stand ahead of the upcoming qualifiers below.
How qualifying works
The first round follows a familiar format, with 12 groups of four or five teams, and the section winners securing World Cup slots. The continent’s four remaining berths will then be settled in a 16-team UEFA play-off competition involving the 12 group runners-up and four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners.
Group A
Luxembourg v Northern Ireland
Slovakia v Germany
Germany v Northern Ireland
Luxembourg v Slovakia
Group B
Slovenia v Sweden
Switzerland v Kosovo
Kosovo v Sweden
Switzerland v Slovenia
Group C
Denmark v Scotland
Greece v Belarus
Belarus v Scotland
Greece v Denmark
Group D
Iceland v Azerbaijan
Ukraine v France
Azerbaijan v Ukraine
France v Iceland
Group E
Bulgaria v Spain
Georgia v Türkiye
Georgia v Bulgaria
Türkiye v Spain
Group F
Armenia v Portugal
Republic of Ireland v Hungary
Armenia v Republic of Ireland
Hungary v Portugal
Group G
Lithuania v Malta
Netherlands v Poland
Lithuania v Netherlands
Poland v Finland
The Netherlands will aim to keep up their perfect record when they face Poland in Rotterdam before travelling to Lithuania. Group leaders Finland resume their campaign with an away clash against the Poles, who will be able to call upon returning captain Robert Lewandowski. After a disagreement with former coach Michal Probierz, the striker is back in the international fold following the appointment of new boss Jan Urban. Lithuania and Malta will be out to ignite their campaigns when they square off in Kaunas.
Group H
Austria v Cyprus
San Marino v Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina v Austria
Cyprus v Romania
With three wins from three games, Bosnia and Herzegovina have had a flawless start to World Cup qualifying. Edin Dzeko and Co will be hot favourites to win away in San Marino before hosting Austria in a potentially pivotal clash. Austria take on Cyprus before that game, with the Cypriots meeting Romania in the group’s other fixture.
Group I
Italy v Estonia
Moldova v Israel
Israel v Italy
Norway v Moldova
Norway have been one of the most eye-catching teams in the qualifiers so far, with their four straight wins including an emphatic 3-0 success over Italy. They will hope to make it five wins from five when they lock horns with Moldova in Oslo. The Azzurri, under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, will take on Estonia and then Israel as they strive to breathe fresh life into their campaign. Second-placed Israel face Moldova ahead of the Italy showdown.
Group J
Kazakhstan v Wales
Liechtenstein v Belgium
Belgium v Kazakhstan
North Macedonia v Liechtenstein
Second-placed Wales will go top of Group J if they avoid defeat in Kazakhstan on Thursday. Belgium play Liechtenstein away on the same night, before the Red Devils host the Kazakhs. Current group leaders North Macedonia will be hungry to sustain their impressive form when they face Liechtenstein in Skopje.
Group K
England v Andorra
Latvia v Serbia
Albania v Latvia
Serbia v England
Thomas Tuchel’s England are another side with a 100 per cent record, and they will be expected to maintain that when they host Andorra. The Three Lions then have tricky test against Serbia in Belgrade. Serbia play Latvia away ahead of that meeting, with Albania and Latvia doing battle in the group’s other fixture.
Group L
Faroe Islands v Croatia
Montenegro v Czechia
Croatia v Montenegro
Gibraltar v Faroe Islands
Croatia have taken maximum points from their opening two games and will take on the Faroe Islands as they seek to keep the pressure on group leaders Czechia. A clash with Montenegro – who are coached by Croatian legend Robert Prosinecki – then awaits Luka Modric and Co. Czechia, meanwhile, will face Prosinecki’s side in Podgorica, while Gibraltar and the Faroes will also collide.
