England has become the first European nation to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the European Qualifiers. The Three Lions topped Group K with 18 points, ensuring direct qualification as group winners. Other teams remain in contention for direct spots or play-offs ahead of November matches.
The European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are progressing, with 12 group winners set to qualify directly and runners-up advancing to play-offs alongside the four best-ranked 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group winners not finishing in the top two of their qualifier groups.
England leads the way, having clinched top spot in Group K with 18 points from nine matches, ahead of Albania (11 points) and Serbia (10 points). No other team has yet confirmed direct qualification, but several are assured of at least a play-off spot: Croatia (16 points in Group L), Denmark (10 in Group C), Italy (15 in Group I), Netherlands (16 in Group G), Norway (18 in Group I), Portugal (10 in Group F), Scotland (10 in Group C), Spain (12 in Group E), and Switzerland (10 in Group B).
Key upcoming fixtures include November 14 and 17 matches across groups. In Group A, Germany (9 points) and Slovakia (9 points) battle for top-two spots, with Germany qualifying directly if they beat Luxembourg and Northern Ireland fails to beat Slovakia, or if Germany draws and Northern Ireland loses. Slovakia secures top two with a win over Northern Ireland.
Group B sees Switzerland (10 points) poised for direct qualification if they beat Sweden and Kosovo does not beat Slovenia. Kosovo (7 points) confirms top two with a non-loss to Slovenia.
In Group C, Denmark and Scotland (both 10 points) are locked in top two but await direct qualification outcomes. Group D features France (10 points) qualifying directly with a win over Ukraine (7 points).
Spain (12 points) in Group E will qualify if they beat Georgia and Türkiye (9 points) does not beat Bulgaria. Portugal (10 points) in Group F qualifies with a win over Republic of Ireland or a non-loss if Hungary (5 points) does not beat Armenia.
Netherlands (16 points) in Group G qualifies with a win over Poland (13 points). Group H's Austria (15 points) qualifies if they beat Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina (13 points) does not beat Romania (10 points). Norway (18 points) and Italy (15 points) in Group I are both top two, with Norway qualifying if they beat Estonia and Italy does not beat Moldova.
Belgium (14 points) in Group J qualifies with a win over Kazakhstan. England faces Albania and Serbia in remaining Group K games, but qualification is secured. Croatia (16 points) in Group L qualifies with a non-loss to Faroe Islands.
All details are subject to UEFA confirmation, last updated October 15, 2025. Group stage runs March to November 2025, play-offs March 26 and 31, 2026, and the tournament June 11 to July 19, 2026.