European situation: 26 teams including Hungary have been eliminated, North Macedonia and Wales compete for UEFA Nations League spots

The European qualifying group stage of the World Cup is coming to an end. Among the 16 direct quotas, England, France, Croatia, Portugal, and Norway have already qualified. Which other teams have a chance to advance? Which teams participate in the play-offs? Which teams have been eliminated? Let’s find out.

World Cup Qualifying European Qualification Rules

The 12 group firsts will directly advance to the World Cup; the 12 group second places will participate in the play-offs. In addition, the four highest-ranked group firsts in the UEFA Nations League in the 2024/25 season will also participate in the play-offs, provided that they did not finish first or second in the European qualifying group stage.

Teams that advance to the first place in the group:

Croatia, England, France, Norway, Portugal

Teams that advance to the play-offs through the UEFA Nations League:

Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland (the other spot will be filled by North Macedonia or Wales, depending on the third place in Group J).

Teams guaranteed to qualify for the play-offs at least:

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

Group A

Germany (12 points), Slovakia (12 points), Northern Ireland (6 points), Luxembourg (0 points)

November 18: Northern Ireland vs Luxembourg, Germany vs Slovakia

Germany has secured the top two places. If they are unbeaten against Slovakia, they will advance as the group leaders, otherwise they will enter the play-offs.

Slovakia has secured the top two spots. If they defeat Germany, they will advance as the group leader, otherwise they will enter the play-offs as the group second place.

Northern Ireland cannot finish in the top two (but will enter the play-offs via the Nations League).

Luxembourg is out.

Group B

Switzerland (13 points), Kosovo (10 points), Slovenia (3 points), Sweden (1 point)

November 19: Sweden vs Slovenia, Kosovo vs Switzerland

Switzerland has secured the top two spots. Unless they lose to Kosovo by six goals or more, they will advance as group leaders; if they lose by six goals or more, Switzerland will enter the play-offs.

Kosovo has secured the top two spots. If Switzerland is defeated by six goals or more, it will advance as the group leader; otherwise Kosovo will enter the play-offs.

Slovenia is out.

Sweden cannot enter the top two (but will enter the play-offs through the UEFA Nations League).

Group C

Denmark (11 points), Scotland (10 points), Greece (6 points), Belarus (1 point)

November 19: Scotland vs Denmark, Belarus vs Greece

Denmark has secured the top two spots. Unless they lose to Scotland, they will advance as group leaders; if they lose, Denmark will advance to the play-offs.

Scotland have secured the top two spots. If they beat Denmark they will advance as group leaders, otherwise Scotland will enter the play-offs.

Greece and Belarus have been eliminated.

Group D

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

France has advanced as the group leader.

Ukraine will enter the play-offs in second place in the group.

Iceland ultimately ranked third and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Azerbaijan ultimately ranked fourth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Group E

Spain (15 points), Turkey (12 points), Georgia (3 points), Bulgaria (0 points)

November 19: Bulgaria vs. Georgia, Spain vs. Turkey

Spain has secured the top two spots. Unless they lose to Türkiye by seven goals or more, they will advance as group leaders; if they lose by seven goals or more, Spain will enter the play-offs.

Türkiye has secured the top two spots. If Spain is defeated by seven goals or more, it will advance as the group leader; otherwise Türkiye will enter the play-offs.

Georgia and Bulgaria have been eliminated.

Group F

Portugal (13 points), Ireland (10 points), Hungary (8 points), Armenia (3 points)

Portugal has advanced as the group leader.

Ireland entered the play-offs as second in the group.

Hungary ultimately ranked third and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Armenia ultimately ranked fourth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Group G

Netherlands (17 points), Poland (14 points), Finland (10 points), Malta (5 points), Lithuania (3 points)

November 18: Malta vs Poland, Netherlands vs Lithuania

The Netherlands has secured the top two places. If they go undefeated against Lithuania, or if Poland fails to defeat Malta, the Netherlands will advance as group leaders.

If the Netherlands loses and Poland wins, the two teams will determine the first and second place in the group in the following order: total goal difference, total goals, away goals of the relevant team, disciplinary points, and draw.

Poland has secured the top two spots. If Poland fails to defeat Malta, or the Netherlands is undefeated against Lithuania, Poland will be ranked second and enter the play-offs. If Poland wins and the Netherlands loses, the two teams will determine first and second place in the group based on the above criteria.

Finland, Malta, and Lithuania are eliminated.

Group H

Austria (18 points), Bosnia and Herzegovina (16 points), Romania (10 points), Cyprus (8 points), San Marino (0 points)

November 19: Austria vs Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania vs San Marino

Austria has secured the top two spots. Unless they lose to Bosnia and Herzegovina, they will advance as group leaders; if they lose, Austria will enter the play-offs.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has secured the top two spots. If they defeat Austria, they will advance as group leaders, otherwise Bosnia and Herzegovina will enter the play-offs.

Romania cannot reach the top two (but will enter the play-offs through the UEFA Nations League).

Cyprus and San Marino are eliminated.

Group I

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

Norway has advanced as the group leader.

Italy will enter the play-offs as second place in the group.

Israel finally ranked third and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Estonia ultimately ranked fourth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Moldova ultimately ranked fifth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Group J

Belgium (15 points), North Macedonia (13 points), Wales (13 points), Kazakhstan (8 points), Liechtenstein (0 points)

November 19: Belgium vs Liechtenstein, Wales vs North Macedonia

Belgium has secured the top two spots. If Liechtenstein is defeated, or Wales draws with North Macedonia, Belgium will advance as group leader. If Belgium draws, and North Macedonia wins by five goals or less, or Wales wins by ten goals or less, Belgium will also advance as group leader.

If Belgium loses and North Macedonia or Wales wins, or Belgium draws and North Macedonia wins by seven goals or more, and Wales wins by twelve goals or more, Belgium will enter the play-offs.

If Belgium draws and North Macedonia wins by six goals, the two teams will determine the first and second place in the group in the following order: total goals, away goals of the relevant team, disciplinary points, draw.

If Belgium draws and Wales wins by 11 goals, the two teams will determine the first and second place in the group based on the total number of goals scored and the record against each other (in favor of Belgium).

It is impossible for Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein to enter the top two.

Group K

England (24 points), Albania (14 points), Serbia (13 points), Latvia (5 points), Andorra (1 point)

England has advanced as the group leader.

Albania will enter the play-offs in second place in the group.

Serbia ultimately ranked third and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Latvia ranked fourth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Andorra ranked fifth and missed the 2026 World Cup.

Group L

Croatia (19 points), Czech Republic (13 points), Faroe Islands (12 points), Montenegro (9 points), Gibraltar (0 points)

November 18: Czech Republic vs Gibraltar, Montenegro vs Croatia

Croatia has advanced as the group leader.

The Czech Republic ranks second and enters the play-offs.

The Faroe Islands, Montenegro, and Gibraltar were unable to enter the top two.