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FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers: Fixtures, Teams, Groups

ByM Muktadir

The FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers will decide which teams from Europe play in the next World Cup. This tournament will be the biggest ever, with 48 teams competing. UEFA has 16 spots, making the competition tougher than before.

Teams will play in a group stage, and the winners qualify directly. The rest will compete in play-offs for the final spots. The journey will be full of surprises, excitement, and big matches.

This guide covers everything you need to know – teams, groups, fixtures, and how the play-offs work. If you love football, this is the place to stay updated.

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers

When Does European Qualification for the 2026 World Cup Start?

The qualifiers will begin on March 21, 2025, and end on November 18, 2025. Teams will play in several matchdays to earn a spot in the tournament, which will be held in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

The group matches will take place in 2025. Each team will play home and away against others in their group. After that, the play-offs will happen in March 2026 to decide the last four teams from Europe.

With top football nations competing, fans can expect big games, close matches, and shocking results as teams fight for their place.

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Teams List

A total of 54 teams will compete for a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Big teams like France, Germany, Spain, and England will aim to qualify early. Smaller teams will hope to create history.

List of Qualified Teams:

We will update this section after each team qualifies for the 2026 World Cup.

List of Eliminated Teams:

In this section, we will list the teams eliminated during the qualification stage.

How Many Groups Are in the UEFA World Cup Qualification?

There are 12 groups in the UEFA World Cup Qualification. Each group has four or five teams.

  • 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup.
  • The second-placed teams go to the play-offs.
  • Some Nations League teams will also get a chance to qualify.

With only 16 spots, every match will matter. Big teams will try to dominate, while smaller teams will look for surprises.

List of Groups and Teams of Qualification

GroupTeams
AGermany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
BSwitzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
CPortugal, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
DFrance, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
ESpain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
FDenmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
GNetherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
HAustria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
IItaly, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
JBelgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
KEngland, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
LCroatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Fixtures

The qualifiers will run from March 21, 2025, to November 18, 2025. Each group will have teams playing twice- once at home and once away.

Results will decide who qualifies directly and who plays in the play-offs. Fans can look forward to big games, rivalries, and underdog stories throughout the campaign.

Key Dates for the World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Schedule:

  • Group Stage Match Dates: March 21-25, June 6-10, September 4-9, October 9-14, and November 13-18, 2025
  • Playoff Match Dates: March 26-31, 2026
  • Final Tournament Dates: June 11 – July 19, 2026

Matchday 1 (21-22 March)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025HCyprus vs San Marino18:00
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025GMalta vs Finland20:45
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025GPoland vs Lithuania20:45
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025HRomania vs Bosnia and Herzegovina20:45
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025KAndorra vs Latvia20:45
Fri, Mar. 21, 2025KEngland vs Albania20:45
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025JLiechtenstein vs North Macedonia15:00
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025IMoldova vs Norway18:00
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025LMontenegro vs Gibraltar18:00
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025IIsrael vs Estonia20:45
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025JWales vs Kazakhstan20:45
Sat, Mar. 22, 2025LCzechia vs Faroe Islands20:45

Matchday 2 (24-25 March)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025GLithuania vs Finland18:00
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025GPoland vs Malta20:45
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025HBosnia and Herzegovina vs Cyprus20:45
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025HSan Marino vs Romania20:45
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025KAlbania vs Andorra20:45
Mon, Mar. 24, 2025KEngland vs Latvia20:45
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025IMoldova vs Estonia18:00
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025IIsrael vs Norway20:45
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025JLiechtenstein vs Kazakhstan20:45
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025JNorth Macedonia vs Wales20:45
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025LGibraltar vs Czechia20:45
Tue, Mar. 25, 2025LMontenegro vs Faroe Islands20:45

Matchday 3 (6-7 June)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025IEstonia vs Israel20:45
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025INorway vs QF4 DFT GER/ITA20:45
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025JNorth Macedonia vs Belgium20:45
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025JWales vs Liechtenstein20:45
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025LCzechia vs Montenegro20:45
Fri, Jun. 06, 2025LGibraltar vs QF2 DFT FRA/CRO20:45
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025HBosnia and Herzegovina vs San Marino15:00
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025GMalta vs Lithuania18:00
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025KAndorra vs England18:00
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025GFinland vs QF1 DFT ESP/NED20:45
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025HAustria vs Romania20:45
Sat, Jun. 07, 2025KAlbania vs Serbia20:45

Matchday 4 (9-10 June)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025JKazakhstan vs North Macedonia16:00
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025IEstonia vs Norway20:45
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025IQF4 DFT GER/ITA vs Moldova20:45
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025JBelgium vs Wales20:45
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025LFaroe Islands vs Gibraltar20:45
Mon, Jun. 09, 2025LQF2 DFT FRA/CRO vs Czechia20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025GFinland vs Poland20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025GQF1 DFT ESP/NED vs Malta20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025HRomania vs Cyprus20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025HSan Marino vs Austria20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025KLatvia vs Albania20:45
Tue, Jun. 10, 2025KSerbia vs Andorra20:45

Matchday 5 (4-6 September)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025JKazakhstan vs Wales16:00
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025EGeorgia vs Türkiye18:00
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025GLithuania vs Malta18:00
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025ALuxembourg vs Northern Ireland20:45
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025ASlovakia vs QF4 WIN GER/ITA20:45
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025EBulgaria vs QF1 WIN ESP/NED20:45
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025GQF1 DFT ESP/NED vs Poland20:45
Thu, Sep. 04, 2025JLiechtenstein vs Belgium20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025BSlovenia vs Sweden20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025BSwitzerland vs Kosovo20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025CGreece vs Belarus20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025CQF3 DFT POR/DEN vs Scotland20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025DIceland vs Azerbaijan20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025DUkraine vs QF2 WIN FRA/CRO20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025IMoldova vs Israel20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025IQF4 DFT GER/ITA vs Estonia20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025LFaroe Islands vs QF2 DFT FRA/CRO20:45
Fri, Sep. 05, 2025LMontenegro vs Czechia20:45
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025KLatvia vs Serbia15:00
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025FArmenia vs QF3 WIN POR/DEN18:00
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025KEngland vs Andorra18:00
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025FRepublic of Ireland vs Hungary20:45
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025HAustria vs Cyprus20:45
Sat, Sep. 06, 2025HSan Marino vs Bosnia and Herzegovina20:45

Matchday 6 (7-9 September)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025EGeorgia vs Bulgaria15:00
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025JNorth Macedonia vs Liechtenstein18:00
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025ALuxembourg vs Slovakia20:45
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025AQF4 WIN GER/ITA vs Northern Ireland20:45
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025ETürkiye vs QF1 WIN ESP/NED20:45
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025GLithuania vs QF1 DFT ESP/NED20:45/18:00*
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025GPoland vs Finland20:45
Sun, Sep. 07, 2025JBelgium vs Kazakhstan20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025BKosovo vs Sweden20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025BSwitzerland vs Slovenia20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025CBelarus vs Scotland20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025CGreece vs QF3 DFT POR/DEN20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025IIsrael vs QF4 DFT GER/ITA20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025LGibraltar vs Faroe Islands20:45
Mon, Sep. 08, 2025LQF2 DFT FRA/CRO vs Montenegro20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025DAzerbaijan vs Ukraine18:00
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025FArmenia vs Republic of Ireland18:00
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025DQF2 WIN FRA/CRO vs Iceland20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025FHungary vs QF3 WIN POR/DEN20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025HBosnia and Herzegovina vs Austria20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025HCyprus vs Romania20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025INorway vs Moldova20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025KAlbania vs Latvia20:45
Tue, Sep. 09, 2025KSerbia vs England20:45

Matchday 7 (9-11 October)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025GFinland vs Lithuania18:00
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025CBelarus vs QF3 DFT POR/DEN20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025CScotland vs Greece20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025GMalta vs QF1 DFT ESP/NED20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025HAustria vs San Marino20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025HCyprus vs Bosnia and Herzegovina20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025LCzechia vs QF2 DFT FRA/CRO20:45
Thu, Oct. 09, 2025LFaroe Islands vs Montenegro20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025JKazakhstan vs Liechtenstein16:00
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025ANorthern Ireland vs Slovakia20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025AQF4 WIN GER/ITA vs Luxembourg20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025BKosovo vs Slovenia20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025BSweden vs Switzerland20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025DIceland vs Ukraine20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025DQF2 WIN FRA/CRO vs Azerbaijan20:45
Fri, Oct. 10, 2025JBelgium vs North Macedonia20:45
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025KLatvia vs Andorra15:00
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025FHungary vs Armenia18:00
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025INorway vs Israel18:00
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025EBulgaria vs Türkiye20:45
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025EQF1 WIN ESP/NED vs Georgia20:45
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025FQF3 WIN POR/DEN vs Republic of Ireland20:45
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025IEstonia vs QF4 DFT GER/ITA20:45
Sat, Oct. 11, 2025KSerbia vs Albania20:45

Matchday 8 (12-14 October)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025HSan Marino vs Cyprus15:00
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025CScotland vs Belarus18:00
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025LFaroe Islands vs Czechia18:00
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025CQF3 DFT POR/DEN vs Greece20:45
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025GLithuania vs Poland20:45
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025GQF1 DFT ESP/NED vs Finland20:45/18:00*
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025HRomania vs Austria20:45
Sun, Oct. 12, 2025LQF2 DFT FRA/CRO vs Gibraltar20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025ANorthern Ireland vs QF4 WIN GER/ITA20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025ASlovakia vs Luxembourg20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025BSlovenia vs Switzerland20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025BSweden vs Kosovo20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025DIceland vs QF2 WIN FRA/CRO20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025DUkraine vs Azerbaijan20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025JNorth Macedonia vs Kazakhstan20:45
Mon, Oct. 13, 2025JWales vs Belgium20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025IEstonia vs Moldova18:00
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025ETürkiye vs Georgia20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025EQF1 WIN ESP/NED vs Bulgaria20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025FRepublic of Ireland vs Armenia20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025FQF3 WIN POR/DEN vs Hungary20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025IQF4 DFT GER/ITA vs Israel20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025KAndorra vs Serbia20:45
Tue, Oct. 14, 2025KLatvia vs England20:45

Matchday 9 (13-15 November)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025DAzerbaijan vs Iceland18:00
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025FArmenia vs Hungary18:00
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025INorway vs Estonia18:00
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025DQF2 WIN FRA/CRO vs Ukraine20:45
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025FRepublic of Ireland vs QF3 WIN POR/DEN20:45
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025IMoldova vs QF4 DFT GER/ITA20:45
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025KAndorra vs Albania20:45
Thu, Nov. 13, 2025KEngland vs Serbia20:45
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025GFinland vs Malta18:00
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025ALuxembourg vs QF4 WIN GER/ITA20:45
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025ASlovakia vs Northern Ireland20:45
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025GPoland vs QF1 DFT ESP/NED20:45
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025LGibraltar vs Montenegro20:45
Fri, Nov. 14, 2025LQF2 DFT FRA/CRO vs Faroe Islands20:45
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025JKazakhstan vs Belgium15:00
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025EGeorgia vs QF1 WIN ESP/NED18:00
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025ETürkiye vs Bulgaria18:00
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025HCyprus vs Austria18:00
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025JLiechtenstein vs Wales18:00
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025BSlovenia vs Kosovo20:45
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025BSwitzerland vs Sweden20:45
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025CGreece vs Scotland20:45
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025CQF3 DFT POR/DEN vs Belarus20:45
Sat, Nov. 15, 2025HBosnia and Herzegovina vs Romania20:45

Matchday 9 (16-18 November)

DATEGROUPMATCHUPTIME (CET)
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025FHungary vs Republic of Ireland15:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025FQF3 WIN POR/DEN vs Armenia15:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025DAzerbaijan vs QF2 WIN FRA/CRO18:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025DUkraine vs Iceland18:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025KAlbania vs England18:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025KSerbia vs Latvia18:00
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025IIsrael vs Moldova20:45
Sun, Nov. 16, 2025IQF4 DFT GER/ITA vs Norway20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025ANorthern Ireland vs Luxembourg20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025AQF4 WIN GER/ITA vs Slovakia20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025GMalta vs Poland20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025GQF1 DFT ESP/NED vs Lithuania20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025LCzechia vs Gibraltar20:45
Mon, Nov. 17, 2025LMontenegro vs QF2 DFT FRA/CRO20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025BKosovo vs Switzerland20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025BSweden vs Slovenia20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025CBelarus vs Greece20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025CScotland vs QF3 DFT POR/DEN20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025EBulgaria vs Georgia20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025EQF1 WIN ESP/NED vs Türkiye20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025HAustria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025HRomania vs San Marino20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025JBelgium vs Liechtenstein20:45
Tue, Nov. 18, 2025JWales vs North Macedonia20:45

Note:

  • QF means Quarterfinal.
  • WIN means the winner of the UEFA Nations League quarter-final.
  • DFT means the defeated team.
  • The first kick-off time applies to the UEFA Nations League quarter-finalist listed first.

How Does European World Cup Qualifying Work in 2026?

The FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers will follow a group stage and play-off format.

  • Group winners (12 teams) qualify directly.
  • Second-placed teams (12 teams) go to the play-offs.
  • Four teams from the Nations League also enter the play-offs.

The group stage happens in 2025. The play-offs will take place in March 2026.

How Do Play-Offs for the 2026 World Cup Work?

The play-offs will decide the last four teams from Europe.

  • 16 teams will compete -12 group runners-up and 4 teams from the Nations League.
  • These teams will be divided into four play-off paths.
  • Each path has two semi-finals and one final (all single-leg matches).
  • The four winners qualify for the World Cup.

The play-offs will happen in March 2026. Every match will be a do-or-die game.

FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers FAQs

How many teams from Europe will qualify?

A total of 16 teams from Europe will qualify. 12 group winners qualify directly, and four teams come through the play-offs.

Where can fans watch the qualifiers?

Fans can watch the matches on Sky Sports, ESPN, beIN Sports, Viaplay, and UEFA.tv.

Which teams are favorites to qualify?

France, Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, and Italy are expected to qualify early. Other teams like Denmark, Switzerland and Croatia could also make a deep run.

Are there new qualification rules?

Yes. The World Cup now has 48 teams, increasing UEFA’s spots from 13 to 16. The play-offs now include four teams from the UEFA Nations League.

How does goal difference impact qualification?

If teams have the same points, goal difference is the first tiebreaker. If still tied, head-to-head results decide rankings.

Have top teams ever missed the World Cup?

Yes. Italy missed the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, and Netherlands failed to qualify in 2018. Even big teams can struggle.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers will be tougher than ever. 54 teams are competing for 16 spots, so every match will matter.

Big teams will try to qualify early, while smaller nations will fight for a chance to make history. Get ready for months of non-stop football!

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