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World Cup draw LIVE: England and Scotland discover qualifying group

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World Cup draw LIVE: England and Scotland discover qualifying group

Curtis Jones speaks after debut England goal

England and the rest of Europe will be watching on as the World Cup 2026 qualifying draw takes place on Friday morning, with the Uefa zone groups set to be laid out.

With Thomas Tuchel now joining as head coach after the departure of long-serving Gareth Southgate, the Three Lions will be aiming to go a step further than they managed under the man who revitalised the national team, having lost in the finals of both Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.

The qualifying campaign – for the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States – runs from late March 2025 through to mid-November, with play-offs for those who need them being played out in March 2026. Six groups of four nations and six groups of five are to be drawn, with first place in each group automatically yielding a spot at the finals in 18 months.

Follow the live blog for the 2026 World Cup qualifying groups below:

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Now it’s time for Pot 3 and there’ll be a few adjustments to be made here as well.

First out of the pot are Northern Ireland, they go into Group A. Another tricky group.

Slovenia then get placed in Group B.

Scotland meanwhile get put in Group C with Greece and Portugal/Denmark.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:37

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy, Slovakia

Group B: Switzerland, Sweden,

Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark, Greece

Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia, Ukraine,

Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands, Turkiye

Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark, Hungary

Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands, Poland

Group H: Austria, Romania

Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy, Norway

Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia, Czech Republic

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:33

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Norway are out next and get placed in Group I.

Wales then get put in Group J with Belgium. Tough one.

Serbia are drawn into England’s group.

Finally, Czech Republic go into Group L.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:33

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Ukraine are eligible to be put in Group D.

Turkiye are quickly placed in Group E.

Hungary are put in Group F.

Romania are placed in Group H.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:31

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

From the Pot 2 draw, Slovakia go into Group A.

Sweden then come out and get placed in Group B.

Poland come out next and must be placed in Group G.

Greece, meanwhile, can be put in Group C.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:29

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Group A: Winner of Germany vs Italy

Group C: Loser of Portugal vs Denmark

Group D: Winner of France vs Croatia

Group E: Winner of Spain vs Netherlands

Group F: Winner of Portugal vs Denmark

Group G: Loser of Spain vs Netherlands

Group I: Loser of Germany vs Italy

Group L: Loser of France vs Croatia

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:28

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

The final four teams in pot 1 come out now. The winner of the quarter-final between France and Croatia will go into Group D while the loser is placed in Group L.

The winners of Spain vs the Netherlands goes into Group E.

The winners of Portugal vs Denmark go into Group F.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:24

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Next out with have the defeated team from the quarter-final between Germany and Italy who are placed in Group I.

Belgium are drawn into Group J.

England are placed in Group K, that’s the one to look out for as the draw goes on folks.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:23

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

Portugal vs Denmark play a Nations League quarter-final next year, whichever team loses will go into Group C.

The defeated team from a quarter-final between Spain and the Netherlands go into Group G as they cannot be placed into either Group D, E or F.

Austria also cannot be drawn into the previous groups so they get placed in Group H.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:21

World Cup qualifying draw LIVE

There are eight teams involved in Nations League play-offs or quarter-finals in this pot.

The winner of Germany vs Italy in March is drawn into Group A.

Switzerland are drawn out next and go into Group B.

Mike Jones13 December 2024 11:19

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