UEFA confirm date for 2026 World Cup European group stage qualifiers

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.

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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).

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.

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.