England and the rest of Europe will be watching on as the World Cup 2026 qualifying draw takes place on Friday morning, with the Uefa zone groups set to be laid out.
With Thomas Tuchel now joining as head coach after the departure of long-serving Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions will be aiming to go a step further than they managed under the man who revitalised the national team, having lost in the finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
The qualifying campaign – for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States – runs from late March 2025 through to mid-November, with play-offs for those who need them being played out in March 2026. Six groups of four nations and six groups of five are to be drawn, with first place in each group automatically yielding a spot at the finals in 18 months.
Follow the live blog for the 2026 World Cup qualifying groups below:
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Next out of the pot are Lithuania who are placed into Group G, the first of the five team groups.
Cyprus are put in Group H as they are not involved in a Nations League play-off.
Estonia are drawn into Group I.
Kazakhstan meanwhile get put into Group J.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Luxembourg complete Group A.
Kosovo are drawn into Group B.
Belarus are put into Group C with Scotland.
Group D is completed by Azerbaijan.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Onto Pot 4.
Six of the groups (A-F) will be complete after this part of the draw as they only feature four sides. The other six groups (G-L) will all have five teams.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Thomas Tuchel will be pleased with the group so far which includes Serbia and Albania. He’ll feel confident about beating both of those sides with England.
Wales have a trick opponent in Belgium but they’re up against North Macedonia which should excite manager Craig Bellamy.
Scotland have the toughest draw so far. Either Portugal or Denmark and then Greece.
Northern Ireland will play against Germany/Italy and Slovakia. It’ll take some going to get out of this group too.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Full draw after Pot 3:
Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece, Scotland
Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkiye, Georgia
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland
Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland, Finland
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia & Herzegovenia
Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway, Israel
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania
Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Iceland are placed in Group D.
Albania go into England’s group.
Georgia are put into Group E.
Montenegro are placed in Group L.
Finally, Republic of Ireland are placed in Group F.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Finland aren’t in the March play-offs so get put in Group G.
Bosnia & Herzegovina are put in Group H.
Israel get placed in Group I.
North Macedonia meanwhile get placed in Wales’ Group J. Nice.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Now it’s time for Pot 3 and there’ll be a few adjustments to be made here as well.
First out of the pot are Northern Ireland, they go into Group A. Another tricky group.
Slovenia then get placed in Group B.
Scotland meanwhile get put in Group C with Greece and Portugal/Denmark.
World Cup qualifying draw LIVE
Full draw so far:
Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden,
Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece
Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine,
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkiye
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary
Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland
Group H: Austria, Romania
Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway
Group J: Belgium, Wales
Group K: England, Serbia
Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic