World Cup qualifying draw pots (Europe)
Pot 1: Germany, France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria
Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino
How the draw works
Firstly, all teams from pot 1 are assigned to the twelve groups A to L in order. This is followed by pots 2 to 5, with each pot being emptied completely. Groups A to F will consist of four teams, G to L of five.
Who qualifies for the 2026 World Cup?
The twelve group winners will qualify directly, while the remaining four of the 16 European starting places will be determined by play-offs. The twelve group runners-up and the four best-placed group winners from the Nations League who have not already qualified will play there.
When do the matches take place?
The group stage of World Cup qualifying begins in March and lasts until November 2025, with the play-offs taking place in March 2026. The groups of five start in March, the groups of four in September 2025 - after the quarter-finals (March) and the Final Four (June) in the Nations League.
What else do you need to know?
Certain matches have been ruled out for travelling, climatic or political reasons. Restrictions apply to the "fringe nations" of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Iceland.
The combination of matches from seven nations with harsh winters such as Finland or Norway will be limited. The pairings Spain v Gibraltar, Ukraine v Belarus, Kosovo v Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo v Serbia are not possible.
Can it get any more complicated?
Of course! Due to the Nations League quarter-finals being held for the first time, placeholders will be drawn.
For example, if Germany win their Nations League quarter-final against Italy, the Germans will play in a group of four - if they lose, they will play in a group of five.