UEFA confirm date for 2026 World Cup European group stage qualifiers
The expanded 48 team 2026 World Cup will feature 16 sides from the UEFA region.
The 2026 World Cup is just 18 months away and will be a tournament like no other as 48 nations compete for the biggest prize in world soccer.
The competition will be co-hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico and kicks off on 11 June in Mexico City and winds up with the final earmarked for the 82,500 capacity MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
UEFA qualifying
Europe’s governing body have confirmed that the draw procedure ahead of the group qualifying stage will be held on 13 December in Zurich (draw time still yet to be confirmed) with the first round of group qualifying games commencing in March 2025 with the final matches taking place in November.
The final four UEFA tickets securing access to the 2026 World Cup will be finalised with a series of playoffs taking place between 26-31 March (2026).
First player that comes to mind? 💭⏪#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/zXE5ATfe6s
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) November 11, 2024
The draw will feature 54 of the 55 UEFA nations with Russia expected to remain excluded following the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Draw format
The draw will follow a seeded pattern (based on the UEFA coefficient at the time of the draw) with teams set to be drawn into 12 groups of four and five with each team playing one another in a home and away format.
UEFA World Cup Qualifying Pot Projections through the October window.
— We Global Football (@We_Global) October 15, 2024
Bulgaria 🇧🇬 almost out of runway to stay in Pot 3. Bottom of Pot 2 and top of Pot 3 looks the only unsettled bit.
Switzerland 🇨🇭 and Denmark 🇩🇰 should be safe in Pot 1. Serbia 🇷🇸 and Hungary 🇭🇺 still in it. pic.twitter.com/0VwbG4sw4T
The 12 group winners qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup and the four remaining spaces will be resolved by a series of play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up.