The FIFA World Cup 26™ is within touching distance. Eleven of the 12 groups are yet to crown a winner, and nine nations – Austria, Belgium, Croatia, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland – could book their tickets to North America in the first of their upcoming fixtures.
Here, FIFA gives you details on all 48 matches which are scheduled to take place across six busy days from 13 November to 18 November and breaks down what results each of the hopefuls need if they are to secure qualification.
Group A
Germany and Slovakia are locked together at the top of the standings on nine points and will go head-to-head in their final qualifier on 17 November, with Julien Nagelsmann’s side enjoying home advantage. Prior to that, Germany travel to Luxembourg and Slovakia host Northern Ireland, who remain in contention just three points back from the leading duo.
Group B
Switzerland can secure a sixth successive World Cup place on 15 November if they defeat surprise Group B strugglers Sweden and second-placed Kosovo fail to defeat Slovenia. A draw would be enough for the Swiss if Kosovo were to lose. Otherwise, qualification will be decided on 18 November when Murat Yakin’s men travel to Pristina to face their nearest challengers.
Group C
Denmark and Scotland are battling for Group C supremacy and will go head-to-head in their final qualifier at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 18 November. Prior to that, Denmark play host to Belarus and Scotland travel to Greece in showdowns neither of these qualification hopefuls can afford to slip up in.
Group D
France know what they must do in their next fixture to secure a World Cup return – defeat Ukraine at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Should the 2018 winners and 2022 final be beaten on 13 November, the focus will shift to the duo’s final fixtures, with Les Bleus away to Azerbaijan and Ukraine hosting Iceland.
Group E
Spain can punch their ticket to North America if they beat Georgia, and Türkiye fail to defeat Bulgaria on 15 November. Should the qualification picture not be concluded before the final round of matches, it will set up a blockbuster final-day decider as La Roja play host to Türkiye in Seville.
Group F
Portugal were moments away from qualification in October, only for a late leveller from Hungary to put their celebrations back on ice. Cristiano Ronaldo and Co know victory over Republic of Ireland will see them secure top spot, while a draw will be enough should Hungary fail to defeat Armenia. Portugal’s final fixture sees them host Armenia, while Hungary welcome Republic of Ireland.
Group G
The Netherlands take on second-placed Poland on 14 November knowing victory in Warsaw will secure their World Cup return. The Oranje’s final showdown in Group G sees them play host to Lithuania, while the Poles make the trip to Malta.
Group H
Austria will qualify for their first World Cup since France 1998 on 15 November if they beat Cyprus, and Bosnia and Herzegovina fail to defeat Romania. Ralf Rangnick’s side conclude their campaign with a home meeting against their nearest challengers three days later.
Group I
Norway will be back on the global stage for the first time since 1998 if they beat Estonia, and Italy fail to defeat Moldova. A draw would be enough for Erling Haaland and Co should Italy lose. If the group needs to be decided in the final round of fixtures, there is a titanic tussle between the top two to look forward to in Milan on 16 November.
Group J
Belgium are on the brink of qualification and know victory away to Kazakhstan will secure their passage to the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States. If a further fixture is needed for the Red Devils, they have a home meeting with Liechtenstein to come, while nearest challengers North Macedonia conclude their campaign away to Wales.
Group K
With England having already secured top spot with two games to spare thanks to their unblemished record, the battle is on between Albania and Serbia for the runners-up berth. Serbia travel to Wembley on 13 November, while Albania make the trip to Andorra. Sylvinho’s side then host the Three Lions in Tirana, while Veljko Paunovic’s Serbia welcome Latvia to Leskovac.
Group L
Croatia go into their home meeting with the Faroe Islands on 14 November knowing a point would be enough to ensure that they top Group L. Should the 2018 finalists and 2022 bronze medal winners slip up, they will have a second opportunity to seal first place away to Montenegro, while nearest challengers Czechia host Gibraltar.
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.
