The highly anticipated UEFA groups for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying rounds have been officially announced, featuring a staggering 54 teams from Europe vying for 16 coveted spots in the prestigious tournament. This thrilling competition will unfold in two phases: a group stage and a play-off stage.
The group stage, scheduled to take place from March 21 to November 18, 2025, will comprise 12 groups of 4 or 5 teams each, engaging in home-and-away matches. The top performers from each group will advance to the play-off stage, where they will be joined by 12 group runners-up and 4 exceptional Nations League group winners. These 16 teams will compete in four paths, with single-match play-offs determining the final qualifiers. The play-off stage is slated for March 26 and 31, 2026, with the ultimate goal of securing a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026
As the qualifying rounds commence, fans have already been treated to thrilling matches. Recent highlights include North Macedonia's convincing 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein, Norway's dominant 5-0 win over Moldova, and Montenegro's impressive 3-1 triumph over Gibraltar. Other notable results include Israel's hard-fought 2-1 win over Estonia, Wales' convincing 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan, and Czechia's narrow 2-1 win over the Faroe Islands. As the competition unfolds, enthusiasts can expect more electrifying matches, stunning upsets, and unforgettable moments that will define Europe's journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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