Full list of countries from Europe through to World Cup, those on verge of missing out

With England and France the first to book their spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Europe’s qualifying race is entering its decisive stretch. Croatia joined them on Friday, while Portugal and Norway sealed qualification on Sunday. The post Full list of countries from Europe through to World Cup, those on verge of missing out appeared first on Vanguard News.

News Nov 17, 2025 0 9 Add to Reading List

Full list of countries from Europe through to World Cup, those on verge of missing out

With England and France the first countries to book their spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Europe’s qualifying race is entering its decisive stretch. Croatia joined them on Friday, while Portugal and Norway sealed qualification on Sunday.

Several of Europe’s traditional heavyweights — Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Belgium — are also on course for automatic qualification, as all four currently top their groups heading into the final matchdays.

Matchday 10 now offers further contenders a chance to join them as the last automatic tickets and play-off places take shape. Groups A, G and L headline Monday’s action.

Here is the full state of play across all 12 groups as countries strive to qualify for 2026 FIFA World Cup.

2026 FIFA World Cup: Which Countries Has Qualified So Far?

Qualified as Group Winners

Croatia
England
France
Norway
Portugal

Confirmed in Play-offs as Group Runners-up

Albania
Czechia
Italy
Republic of Ireland
Ukraine

Play-offs via Nations League Route

Romania
Sweden
Northern Ireland
North Macedonia or Wales (depending on Group J finish)

Assured of at Least a Play-off Spot

Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, Germany, Kosovo, Netherlands, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Türkiye.

All standings are subject to UEFA’s final confirmation (updated as of 22:50 CET, Sunday, 16 November).

Group-by-Group Breakdown

Group A

Germany (12), Slovakia (12), Northern Ireland (6), Luxembourg (0)
Matches: 17 Nov – Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg; Germany vs Slovakia

Germany – Already top two and currently on course for automatic qualification; win group if they avoid defeat.
Slovakia – Must beat Germany to top group.
Northern Ireland / Luxembourg – Out of the top-two race.

Group B

Switzerland (13), Kosovo (10), Slovenia (3), Sweden (1)
Matches: 18 Nov – Sweden vs Slovenia; Kosovo vs Switzerland

Switzerland – Will win group unless they lose by six or more.
Kosovo – Must win by six-plus to finish top.
Slovenia / Sweden – Cannot finish in the top two.

Group C

Denmark (11), Scotland (10), Greece (6), Belarus (1)
Matches: 18 Nov – Scotland vs Denmark; Belarus vs Greece

Denmark – Lead group; qualify as winners unless they lose.
Scotland – Must beat Denmark to top group.
Greece / Belarus – Eliminated from contention.

Group D

France (16), Ukraine (10), Iceland (7), Azerbaijan (1)

France – Qualified as group winners.
Ukraine – Through to play-offs.
Iceland / Azerbaijan – Eliminated.

Group E

Spain (15), Türkiye (12), Georgia (3), Bulgaria (0)
Matches: 18 Nov – Bulgaria vs Georgia; Spain vs Türkiye

Spain – Top the group and on course for automatic qualification; must avoid a seven-goal defeat.
Türkiye – Need to beat Spain by seven or more to finish first.
Georgia / Bulgaria – Eliminated.

Group F

Portugal (13), Republic of Ireland (10), Hungary (8), Armenia (3)

Portugal – Qualified as group winners.
Ireland – Play-offs.
Hungary / Armenia – Out.

Group G

Netherlands (17), Poland (14), Finland (10), Malta (5), Lithuania (3)
Matches: 17 Nov – Malta vs Poland; Netherlands vs Lithuania

Netherlands – Top the group and on course for automatic qualification; need a draw or for Poland not to win.
Poland – Must win and hope Netherlands lose, with tiebreakers potentially applied.
Finland / Malta / Lithuania – Eliminated.

Group H

Austria (18), Bosnia and Herzegovina (16), Romania (10), Cyprus (8), San Marino (0)
Matches: 18 Nov – Austria vs Bosnia; Romania vs San Marino

Austria – Will win group unless Bosnia beat them.
Bosnia and Herzegovina – Must win to top the group.
Romania / Cyprus / San Marino – Cannot reach top two.

Group I

Norway (24), Italy (18), Israel (12), Estonia (4), Moldova (1)

Norway – Qualified as group winners.
Italy – Play-offs.
Israel, Estonia, Moldova – Out.

Group J

Belgium (15), North Macedonia (13), Wales (13), Kazakhstan (8), Liechtenstein (0)
Matches: 18 Nov – Belgium vs Liechtenstein; Wales vs North Macedonia

Belgium – Lead the group and on course for automatic qualification; qualify as winners with a victory or if the other match is drawn.
North Macedonia – Can top group under narrow scenarios; guaranteed at least a Nations League play-off spot.
Wales – Also still with a slim path to winning the group; assured of a Nations League play-off route.
Kazakhstan / Liechtenstein – Eliminated.