FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying: Which UEFA nations are winning their groups and how do the European play-offs work?
By Becky Hart
Published 10/09/2025 at 09:27 GMT+1
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Qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026 has been underway for two years - but in Europe, the matches only began in March 2025. There are 54 UEFA nations competing for just 16 spots at next year's tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico, with qualifying set to conclude in March 2026. But who are the favourites to make it through, and what do England need to do to qualify?
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Video credit: SNTV
The football world is looking forward to next year’s FIFA World Cup, taking place across the US, Canada and Mexico.
But while some nations - including the hosts - have already secured their slots, the European teams are very much still on the qualification trail.
The 54 UEFA teams were initially drawn into 12 groups, with England in Group K along with Albania, Serbia, Latvia and Andorra.
Each team plays home and away, with the group winners securing a spot in next year's tournament.
The last round of the initial group qualifiers is in November, at which point 12 teams will be joining the likes of Argentina, Brazil, Australia and Japan in the World Cup proper.
The 12 group runners-up then enter a fight for the four remaining spots. They are joined by the four best-ranked UEFA Nations League section winners who did not finish in the top two of their group.
Those 16 teams go into a play-off competition, featuring single leg semi-finals and finals in March 2026.
How are England faring?
England have played five matches in Group K, and have won all five. They are sitting pretty at the top of the group with 15 points and are closing on qualification.
A 5-0 thrashing of Serbia last time out showed England are starting to find their stride, led by captain Harry Kane, who scored the opener in Belgrade.
They need to win just two of their last three matches to go through, although other results could send them through sooner.
Thomas Tuchel’s side face Latvia away on October 14, Serbia at home on November 13, and Albania away on November 16.
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Who else is close to qualifying?
Slovakia have won their opening two matches in Group A, which also features Northern Ireland. It means Germany sit third, three points off top spot, having lost their opener to Slovakia earlier in September.
No one is in control of Group C as it stands, with Denmark and Scotland tied on four points after two rounds.
As expected, the runners-up in 2022, France, are top of Group D, having already beaten Iceland and Ukraine.
Spain are in control of Group E, which features Georgia, Turkey and Bulgaria.
Portugal, still spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo are top of Group F, with the legendary striker scoring his 39th World Cup qualifying goal in the second round of matches - a joint-record with Guatemala's Carlos Ruiz.
The Netherlands and Poland are neck-and-neck in Group G, both on 10 points, although the Dutch have a game in hand, while Norway lead Group I - which could mean the play-offs beckon for Italy.
Norway have won all five of their matches and lead the group by six points ahead of Italy, who have a game in hand and host Norway in November.
Wales are still in the mix in Group J, along with Belgium and surprise package North Macedonia.
Just one point separates third-placed Wales from leaders North Macedonia, with Belgium level on points with Wales but having a game in hand.
Croatia and Czechia are battling it out for the automatic spot in Group L.
When does World Cup 2026 get underway?
World Cup 2026 begins on June 11, with the opening game played in Mexico City.
Canada will host matches in Toronto and Vancouver, while Mexico will host games in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.
The USA has 11 host cities, including Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas and Miami.
The final takes place on July 19 and will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
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