The draw for the 2026 World Cup qualification groups (UEFA Zone) took place in Zurich, where England was placed in Group K alongside Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. The Three Lions, who were in Pot 1 with prestigious teams like France, Germany, and Spain, are favorites to secure a direct spot for the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With 12 groups in total, this qualification phase promises to be intense, with each nation aiming to join the 16 European representatives at the World Cup.
An Accessible but Tricky Draw for England
The FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification draw was held in Zurich, where 12 groups were formed to determine the European teams for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. England, in Pot 1 with other European heavyweights such as Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria, was drawn into Group K. The Three Lions will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra. They will meet Serbia again after their 1-0 win with a goal from Jude Bellingham, and Albania, whom they played during the last World Cup qualifiers. The 12 group winners will directly qualify for the World Cup, while the runners-up will enter the playoffs for the remaining four spots allotted to UEFA. England will start their campaign at home against Albania on March 21, 2025, followed by a match against Latvia on March 24. The first games against Andorra and Serbia will take place in June and September, with the group stage concluding in November 2025.
Thomas Tuchel’s First Words as Head Coach
Present at the draw in Zurich, England’s future head coach Thomas Tuchel, who will take over in January 2025, shared his thoughts on Group K. Acknowledging the quality of Serbia and Albania, he highlighted the challenge these teams pose with their talented players and passionate supporters. “It’s a tough group. These teams have the ability to surprise and are always supported by strong collective energy. We will need to respect that and stay focused,” he said. Regarding Latvia, whom England has never faced before, Tuchel sees it as a “new challenge” and stressed the importance of maintaining high performance levels against opponents, even those considered weaker, like Andorra. “The gap between small and large nations is closing. Qualification is never simple, and we need to be at our best to avoid being distracted by our favorite status,” he concluded, setting the tone for his tenure with the Three Lions.
Group A: Winner of QF4 (Germany/Italy), Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Loser of QF3 (Portugal/Denmark), Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner of QF2 (France/Croatia), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of QF1 (Spain/Netherlands), Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner of QF3 (Portugal/Denmark), Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Loser of QF1 (Spain/Netherlands), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Loser of QF4 (Germany/Italy), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Loser of QF2 (France/Croatia), Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
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