Iceland and Azerbaijan national teams, which are rivals of the Ukrainian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, played friendly matches.

On Friday, Iceland's national team traveled to Scotland and played against them. Under the guidance of Arnar Gunnlaugsson, his players performed excellently in this match and deservedly won 3-1. The goals for Iceland were scored by Andri Gudjohnsen and Viktor Palsson. Another goal was scored through a self-goal by Lewis Ferguson.

Friendly match

Scotland — Iceland — 1:3 (1:2)

Goals: Suttar (25) — Gudjohnsen (8), Ferguson (45, own goal), Palsson (52).

Iceland: Olafsson, Palsson (Thorvaldsson, 60), Magnusson (Gretarssohn, 76), Ingasson (Gunnaarsson, 77), Ellertsson, Thorardsson (Anderson, 72), Johannesson (Traustason, 72), Garaldsson, Gudmundsson, Gudjohnsen, Torsteinsson  (Villumssohn, 72).

Today, the other rival of Ukraine in the World Cup qualifiers also played its friendly match. Azerbaijan's national team met Latvia in Rize. Under Fernando Santus' guidance, their players managed to deliver only one shot on target against the Latvian national team, but it was not successful. The same number of shots were delivered by their opponents as well. In summary — 0:0.

Friendly match

Latvia — Azerbaijan — 0:0 

Azerbaijan: Dzhafarov, Bayramov (Khuseynov, 69), Mustafaizadae, Badalov (Guseynov, 78), Dashdamirov, Dzhafarkuliev, Abdullazade (A. Nuriyev, 46), Mahmudov, D. Nuriyev (Ibrahimli, 84), Emreli (Dadashov, 90+1), Ahundzade (Aliyev, 69).

2026 World Cup Qualifiers. UEFA Zone First Round

Group A: Germany, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg.

Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo.

Group C: Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus.

Group D: France, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan.

Group E: Spain, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria.

Group F: Portugal, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia.

Group G: Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta.

Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino.

Group I: Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova.

Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein.

Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra.

Group L: Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar.

Schedule of Group D Matches

Round 1. September 5, 2025

Ukraine — France 9:45 PM

Iceland — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Round 2. September 9, 2025

Azerbaijan — Ukraine 7:00 PM

France — Iceland 9:45 PM

Round 3. October 10, 2025

Iceland — Ukraine 9:45 PM

France — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Round 4. October 13, 2025

Ukraine — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Iceland — France 9:45 PM

Round 5. November 13, 2025

Azerbaijan — Iceland 7:00 PM

France — Ukraine 9:45 PM

Round 6. November 16, 2025

Ukraine — Iceland 7:00 PM

Azerbaijan — France 7:00 PM

Kiev time.

UEFA (Europe): 16 spots.

The European zone qualifiers will take place from March 2025 to March 2026 and consist of two rounds. Teams will compete for 16 spots at the World Cup.

Round 1: Twelve groups with five or four teams each will play between March and November 2025 in a traditional group stage system. The twelve group winners will receive direct tickets to the final stage.

The twelve teams finishing second, along with the top four third-placed finishers from UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 who finished below second place in the European qualification group stage, will participate in knockout mini-tournaments.

Round 2: Knockout mini-tournaments in March 2026 will consist of one-legged semi-finals and finals. The sixteen participants will be divided into four playoff paths. The four winners will receive tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

AFC (Asia): 8 spots + 1 spot in intercontinental playoffs.

CAF (Africa): 9 spots + 1 spot in intercontinental playoffs.

CONCACAF (North and Central America): 3 tournament hosts + 3 spots + 2 spots in intercontinental playoffs.

CONMEBOL (South America): 6 spots + 1 spot in intercontinental playoffs.

OFC (Oceania): 1 spot + 1 spot in intercontinental playoffs.

Intercontinental playoffs: 2 spots.

2026 World Cup Final Tournament

The 2026 World Cup will be the first in history to feature 48 national teams in its final stage. There will be twelve groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 32.

Matches of the 23rd World Cup will take place in sixteen cities. These are: Toronto and Vancouver in Canada, Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey in Mexico, Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle in the USA.

The opening match of the World Cup will take place on June 11, 2026 in Mexico City, while the final match will be held in New York on July 19.

Final Tournament Schedule for the 2026 World Cup