There are a total of 16 UEFA berths available at the 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the 12 qualifying group winners assured of a final tournament place along with the four eventual play-off winners.
After topping Groups K and D respectively, England and France have become the first two European teams to confirm their place at the finals, which run from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
UEFA.com keeps track of the qualifiers as they are confirmed and runs the rule over the European contenders.
How does qualification work?
In total, 16 UEFA nations will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup; the four remaining berths are determined by play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place.
ENGLAND
How they qualified: Group K winners
Best World Cup performance: Winners (1966)
Most recent appearance: 2022 (quarter-finals)
The UEFA EURO 2024 runners-up began a new era when Thomas Tuchel replaced Gareth Southgate after that showpiece defeat by Spain in Berlin and the German coach has certainly made his mark. England secured qualification with a perfect 18 points from their opening six games, scoring 18 goals and conceding none. The talismanic Harry Kane continues to lead the line but the supporting cast has grown ever deeper, with the likes of Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson particularly impressive.
FRANCE
How they qualified: Group D winners
Best World Cup performance: Winners (1998, 2018)
Most recent appearance: 2022 (runners-up)
Les Bleus will be aiming to reach a third World Cup final in a row after topping Group D to secure an eighth consecutive qualification. With an outrageously talented squad led by star striker Kylian Mbappé, Didier Deschamps’ side will no doubt be considered one of the favourites to go all the way again in North America.
Lowdown: European Qualifiers
Play-offs via the Nations League
The 12 group runners-up will participate in the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place.
Nations League path A group winners: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France
Path B group winners: England, Norway, Wales, Czechia
Path C group winners: Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland
Path D group winners: Moldova, San Marino
The final overall 2024/25 Nations League rankings can be found here.
