Scotland and Wales have their sights set on the 2026 World Cup following a favorable qualifying draw. For Scotland, this represents a significant opportunity to end a 28-year absence from the tournament, last appearing in France in 1998. The draw placed Scotland in a group with Greece, the loser of the Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League quarter-final, and Belarus. This setup means Scotland will face Greece four times in 2025, twice in the Nations League promotion playoffs and twice in World Cup qualifiers.
Scotland’s head coach, Steve Clarke, expressed optimism, emphasizing his ambition to lead the team to a World Cup. Reflecting on the draw, he noted the unique dynamic of playing Greece so frequently, suggesting familiarity might lead to tightly contested matches. Belarus presents an unusual challenge due to their inability to host matches at home since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Belarus supported. This logistical factor adds an extra layer of complexity to the campaign. With all group matches scheduled between September and November, Clarke is determined to approach the qualifiers with full intensity.
For Wales, the draw offers a similarly promising path. Placed in a group of five, Wales will face Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein. Head coach Craig Bellamy welcomed the draw, expressing confidence in his team’s ability to challenge for the top spot. Belgium, a familiar opponent for Wales in recent qualifying campaigns and the Nations League, will likely be the toughest challenge. Bellamy emphasized the importance of thorough preparation and an aggressive approach to secure success.
Northern Ireland, meanwhile, is gearing up for a challenging group featuring either Germany or Italy, along with Slovakia and Luxembourg. Head coach Michael O’Neill highlighted the advantage of starting their campaign in the autumn, giving the team ample time to prepare. He also noted the difficulties posed by June fixtures for players in the English Football League, whose season ends early, making autumn games more favorable for performance.
The Republic of Ireland faces a tough road in Group F, drawn alongside the winner of the Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League tie, Hungary, and Armenia. The competition in this group appears particularly fierce, with Ireland needing to navigate strong opposition to secure qualification.
Elsewhere, other groups present intriguing matchups. Spain, the reigning Euro 2024 champions, will face Turkey, Georgia, and Bulgaria in Group E if they win their Nations League tie against the Netherlands. A loss would place them in Group G with Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta. France, another powerhouse, awaits the outcome of their Nations League clash with Croatia to determine their group. A win places them in Group D with Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan, while a loss moves them to Group L alongside Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.
Two groups have already been finalized. In Group B, Switzerland faces Sweden, Slovenia, and Kosovo in a highly competitive lineup. Group H sees Austria, coached by Ralf Rangnick, taking on Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino.
The expanded World Cup format, featuring 48 teams for the first time, allows 16 European nations to qualify. The winners of each group will qualify directly, while runners-up will enter playoffs in March 2026. Additionally, four Nations League group winners who do not finish in the top two of their qualifying groups will have a chance to secure a spot through the playoffs.
As the qualifying campaign approaches, the stakes are high for European teams vying for a place in the expanded tournament. With competitive groups and the added wrinkle of Nations League outcomes influencing the final composition of some groups, the road to the 2026 World Cup promises to be an exciting and challenging journey for all involved.
