Who can qualify for 2026 World Cup in final round of European qualifiers

The concluding matches of the European qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup occur across Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

In this overview, AFP Sport examines the teams positioned to secure spots at the event in the United States, Canada, and Mexico:

Group A

(Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg)

Germany face Slovakia in a decisive encounter at home where the victor claims qualification. Should Germany secure at least a draw, they advance to the finals. Otherwise, Slovakia earns their inaugural major tournament berth since the 2010 edition in South Africa.

The runner-up from this group joins the play-offs, together with Northern Ireland in third, who have earned a play-off position via the Nations League.

Group B

(Switzerland, Kosovo, Slovenia, Sweden)

Switzerland can clinch a sixth consecutive World Cup appearance by not suffering a six-goal or larger loss against Kosovo, the latter already assured of a play-off place. Kosovo aims for their debut in a major international competition.

Group C

(Denmark, Scotland, Greece, Belarus)

Denmark secure qualification with a non-loss result away to Scotland, who require a victory to claim the spot. The team that falls short enters the play-offs.

Group D

(France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan)

France, winners of two World Cups, have already booked their finals place.

Ukraine in third hosts Iceland in second and needs a win to overtake them for a play-off berth.

Group E

(Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria)

Spain, the reigning European champions, qualify unless they endure a improbable seven-goal home defeat to Turkey, who hold a guaranteed play-off position at minimum.

Group F

(Portugal, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia)

Portugal, without the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo for their last fixture, confirm finals qualification by defeating Armenia or should Hungary manage only a draw versus Ireland at home. All three remain in contention for the group lead, though Ireland needs a win to guarantee a play-off spot.

Group G

(Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta)

The Netherlands are virtually certain of progressing but lock it in with a non-loss against bottom side Lithuania. Poland, assured of play-offs, faces Malta and would need a Dutch defeat plus overcoming a 13-goal deficit to seize first place.

Group H

(Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus, San Marino)

Austria seals top spot with a draw or better at home to Bosnia, the latter requiring victory to leapfrog them, or else settling for play-offs.

Group I

(Norway, Italy, Israel, Estonia, Moldova)

Norway achieves their first World Cup since 1998 barring a nine-goal or worse loss to Italy in second, who seem destined for play-offs in their third straight qualification effort.

Group J

(Belgium, North Macedonia, Wales, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein)

Belgium qualifies by overcoming last-placed Liechtenstein at home or if North Macedonia and Wales end level in Cardiff. The trio all harbour chances of group victory, but Wales demands a win for play-off assurance.

Group K

(England, Albania, Serbia, Latvia, Andorra)

England have secured qualification, while Albania advances to play-offs.

Group L

(Croatia, Czech Republic, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Gibraltar)

Croatia have qualified, and the Czech Republic proceed to play-offs.