Germany and the Netherlands qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with convincing victories on November 17, 2025. Germany thrashed Slovakia 6-0 in Group A, while the Netherlands beat Lithuania 4-0 in Group G. These results join England, France, Croatia, Norway, and Portugal as confirmed European participants.
The European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reached a key milestone on November 17, 2025, as Germany and the Netherlands clinched their places in the expanded 48-team tournament. With 16 spots allocated to UEFA, the group winners advance directly, and these two nations topped their respective groups to secure automatic qualification.
In Group A, Julian Nagelsmann's Germany overcame an early stumble—a 2-0 loss to Slovakia—with a dominant 6-0 response in the reverse fixture. Nick Woltemade headed the opener in the 18th minute, followed by Serge Gnabry's neat finish. Leroy Sané then scored twice in five minutes, assisted by Florian Wirtz. Substitute Ridle Baku added a fifth midway through the second half, and debutant Assan Ouedraogo swept in the sixth from Sané's back-heel. This performance sends Germany into the finals with momentum, aiming for a fifth title after their 2022 group-stage exit.
Meanwhile, in Group G, the Netherlands edged out Poland for first place with a 4-0 win over Lithuania. Frenkie de Jong set up Tijjani Reijnders for the 16th-minute opener. After a goalless first half otherwise, Cody Gakpo converted a penalty just before the hour, Xavi Simons fired in the third after a jinking run, and Donyell Malen completed the scoring with a long-range effort from inside his own half. Memphis Depay's eight goals in the campaign and Virgil van Dijk's leadership underpinned Oranje's success, positioning them for a deep run after three previous final defeats.
These qualifications bring UEFA's confirmed teams to seven: Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and Portugal. Nine direct spots and four play-off berths remain, with action concluding on November 18.
