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England will play with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra 2026 World Cup qualifications, in what will be Thomas Tuchelhe leads the first games after replacing Gareth Southgate.
The Three Lions, who were among the top seeds for the qualification draw, were placed in Group K with five teams. First place in each group automatically guarantees a place in the finals – in Canada, Mexico and the United States – in 18 months.
Many of the groups have not yet been completed and will depend on the outcome of the Nations League quarter-finals, which will be played in March.
Scotland will play the losers of the draw between Portugal and Denmark, along with Greece and Belarus in the four-team Group C
Wales will play Belgium again, as well as North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein in the five-team Group J.
Northern Ireland will meet the quarter-final winners of Germany and Italy, and Slovakia and Luxembourg in the four-team Group A.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland will face the winner of Portugal and Denmark in the quarter-finals, and Hungary and Armenia in the four-team Group F.
The qualifiers run from the end of March 2025 to mid-November, with the play-offs for those in need taking place in March 2026.
Follow the live blog of the 2026 World Cup qualifying groups below:
When are the qualifying matches?
The international breaks that will include World Cup qualifiers are 21-25. March, 6-10. June, 4-9. September, 9-14. October and 13-18. November of the following year.
No team will play World Cup qualifiers on all those dates as there are a maximum of eight games. Some teams will start in March, others in June, and groups of four teams only in September.
The World Cup play-offs will take place from March 26 to 31, 2026.
Mike JonesDecember 13, 2024 12:08 p.m
Thomas Tuchel will be pleased
England have been drawn into a group of five teams.
They will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra, with qualifying starting in March, which will be Thomas Tuchel’s first test as England manager.
The German will be happy with that group. Shouldn’t be too much trouble to navigate, but you never know.
Mike JonesDecember 13, 2024 12:04 p.m
World Cup qualification draw, complete results:
Group A: Winner of Germany vs. Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo.
Group C: Loser of Portugal against Denmark, Greece, scotland, Belarus.
Group D: Winner of France against Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan.
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria.
Group F: Winner of Portugal vs. Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia.
Group G: Loser of Spain v Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta.
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino.
Group I: Loser of Germany against Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova.
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.
Group K: EnglandSerbia, Albania, Lavia, Andorra.
Group L: Loser of France against Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar.
Mike Jones13 December 2024 12:01
World Cup qualification draw LIVE
The last three teams are eliminated from the pot.
Andorra is in Group K due to travel restrictions in Group J. This completes the English group.
Leichtenstein, meanwhile, took a place in Group J.
Gibraltar is the last team out and completes Group L.
Mike Jones13 December 2024 12:00
World Cup qualification draw LIVE
There are six teams in this pot and they will be placed in groups GL.
Malta goes first and enters Group G.
Next up is San Marino who enter Group H.
Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:58
World Cup qualification draw LIVE
Group A: Winner of Germany vs. Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo.
Group C: Loser of Portugal against Denmark, Greece, scotland, Belarus.
Group D: Winner of France against Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan.
Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria.
Group F: Portugal winner against Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia.
Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus
Group I: Loser of Germany vs. Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Lavia
Group L: Loser of France against Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands
Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:56
World Cup qualification draw LIVE
Bulgaria is in the playoffs in March and completes Group E.
Latvia joined England in Group K!
The Faroe Islands are placed in group L.
Finally, Armenia was placed in Group F.
Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:55
World Cup qualification draw LIVE
Next up from the pot is Lithuania, who are in Group G, the first of the five team groups.
Cyprus has been placed in Group H as it is not included in the Nations League play-offs.
Estonia was drawn in Group I.
Kazakhstan, meanwhile, have been placed in Group J.
Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:53