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As the footballing world shifts its gaze towards the 2026 FIFA World Cup, anticipation builds, especially among England fans eager to see how the national team will fare in the upcoming qualifiers. With a new manager at the helm and a revised qualification format, there’s much to discuss. Let’s delve into England’s path to the World Cup, the structure of the qualifiers, and key dates to mark on your calendar!
World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers Groups
Group A
Germany / Italy (W)
Slovakia
Northern Ireland
Luxembourg
Group B
Switzerland
Sweden
Slovenia
Kosovo
Group C
Portugal / Denmark (L)
Greece
Scotland
Belarus
Group D
France / Croatia (W)
Ukraine
Iceland
Azerbaijan
Group E
Spain / Netherlands (W)
Turkiye
Georgia
Bulgaria
Group F
Portugal / Denmark (W)
Hungary
Republic of Ireland
Armenia
Group G
Spain / Netherlands (L)
Poland
Finland
Lithuania
Malta
Group H
Austria
Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Cyprus
San Marino
Group I
Germany / Italy (L)
Norway
Israel
Estonia
Moldova
Group J
Belgium
Wales
North Macedonia
Kazakhstan
Liechtenstein
Group K
England
Serbia
Albania
Latvia
Andorra
Group L
France / Croatia (L)
Czechia
Montenegro
Faroe Islands
Gibraltar
Reflecting on the 2022 World Cup
Before we look ahead, it’s worth recalling the 2022 World Cup—a tournament that delivered unforgettable moments. Held in Qatar, it was the first World Cup staged in the Arab world. Argentina emerged victorious, securing their third title by defeating France in a thrilling final that ended 3-3, with Argentina clinching the win in the penalty shootout. England’s campaign saw them reach the quarter-finals, where they were narrowly edged out by France in a 2-1 defeat. While the team showed promise, the early exit prompted discussions about future strategies and leadership.
England's New Leadership: Thomas Tuchel's Appointment
In a significant move, the Football Association appointed Thomas Tuchel as the new England manager in January 2025. Tuchel, renowned for his tactical insight and previous successes with clubs like Chelsea, brings a fresh perspective to the national team. His appointment signals a new era, an era that actually wins trophies (hopefully), that his leadership will guide England to World Cup glory!
Understanding the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion, increasing from 32 to 48 teams. For UEFA (the Union of European Football Associations), this means an increase in allocated slots from 13 to 16. Consequently, the qualification process has been revamped to accommodate this change.
World Cup 2026 Qualification Format
The European qualifiers are structured as follows:
- Group Stage: Fifty-four UEFA member nations are divided into twelve groups—six groups containing four teams each (Groups A–F) and six groups containing five teams each (Groups G–L). Teams will compete in a home-and-away round-robin format. The winners of each group will secure direct qualification to the World Cup.
- Play-Off Stage: The twelve runners-up from the group stage, along with the four best-ranked group winners from the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League who didn’t finish in the top two of their qualifying group, will enter the play-offs. These sixteen teams will be drawn into four paths, each featuring semi-finals and a final. The winner of each path will earn a spot in the World Cup.
England's Group and Fixtures
England has been drawn into Group G, alongside Albania, Latvia, Serbia and Andorra. The group stage matches are set to begin in March 2025. England’s fixtures are as follows:
- 21 March 2025: England vs. Albania (Home)
- 24 March 2025: England vs. Latvia (Home)
- 7 June 2025: England vs. Andorra (Away)
- 6 September 2025: England vs. Andorra (Home)
- 9 September 2025: England vs. Serbia (Away)
- 14 October 2025: England vs. Latvia (Away)
- 13 November 2025: England vs. Serbia (Away)
- 16 November 2025: England vs. Albania (Away)
Key Dates in the World Cup 2026 Qualification Calendar
For those keen to follow England’s journey, here are the crucial dates:
March 2025
Group stage matches commence for Groups G–L.
June 2025
Continuation of group stage fixtures.
September 2025
Resumption of group matches after the summer break
October and November 2025
Final group stage matches.
March 2026
Play-off semi-finals and finals (if applicable).
Thomas Tuchel's First Squad Selection
Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Southampton), James Trafford (Burnley)
Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Kyle Walker (AC Milan, loan from Manchester City)
Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Jordan Henderson (Ajax), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Marcus Rashford (Aston Villa, loan from Manchester United), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)
In preparation for the qualifiers, Thomas Tuchel has announced his inaugural England squad. Notable inclusions are Marcus Rashford and Jordan Henderson, both making their return to international duty. Rashford, despite a challenging season at Aston Villa, brings experience and versatility. Henderson’s leadership qualities and midfield ability are invaluable assets. Additionally, Tuchel has introduced fresh faces like Dan Burn and Myles Lewis-Skelly, signalling his intent to blend experience with emerging talent.
England in the World Cup Qualifiers: Final Thoughts
The road to the 2026 World Cup is paved with challenges and opportunities. England’s revamped squad, under the guidance of Thomas Tuchel, embarks on this journey with renewed vigour. The expanded tournament format offers more teams the chance to compete on football’s grandest stage, promising fans worldwide an exciting event. As the qualifiers unfold, supporters will be keenly watching, hopeful that England can navigate the path successfully and make a profound impact in 2026.