The UEFA Preliminary Draw in Zurich has set the stage for Europe’s 54 hopefuls to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 26 in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. A record 16 UEFA teams will qualify for the historic 48-team tournament.
FIFA World Cup 26: UEFA Preliminary Draw Results
Group A: Italy/Germany (UNL QF4), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Denmark/Portugal (UNL QF3), Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Croatia/France (UNL QF2), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Netherlands/Spain (UNL QF1), Türkiye, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Denmark/Portugal (UNL QF3), Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Netherlands/Spain (UNL QF1), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Italy/Germany (UNL QF4), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Croatia/France (UNL QF2), Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
Qualifying Details:
- 12 groups of 4-5 teams
- Group winners secure a place at the FIFA World Cup
- Four remaining places decided in March 2026 UEFA play-offs
- UEFA qualifying group stage: March-November 2025
- UEFA play-offs: March 2026



