Iceland and Azerbaijan national teams, which are rivals of the Ukrainian national team in the 2026 World Cup qualification, held friendly matches on June 10.

The Iceland national team played a friendly match against Northern Ireland while away. The players of Arnar Gunnleifsson lost with a score of 0-1, despite playing in numerical superiority from the 57th minute.

Friendly match

Northern Ireland — Iceland — 1:0 (1:0)

Goal: Price (36).

Iceland: Valdimarsson, Palsson, Gretarsson (Helgason, 62), Ingasson, Tomasson (Thorardsson, 86), Gudmundsson (Magnusson, 73), Traustason (Johannesson, 46), Willumsson (Anderson, 62), Torsteinsson (Glinsson, 62), Gudjohnsen, Haraldsson.

On the 57th minute sent off Spencer (Northern Ireland).

Today, another rival of Ukraine in the World Cup 2026 qualification also held a friendly match. The Azerbaijan national team met with Hungary in Baku. Under the guidance of Fernando Santus, Renat Dadashov managed to score one goal for his team but this did not help them secure victory as Hungary responded with two goals — 1:2.

Friendly match

Azerbaijan — Hungary — 1:2 (1:2) 

Goals: Dadashov (7) — Varga (5), Soboslay (33).

Azerbaijan: Dzhafarov, A. Khuseynov, D. Khuseynov (Ahunzade, 55), Mustafazade, Dashdamirov, A. Nuriyev (Abdullazade, 69), Mahmudov, Ibrahimli (Rustamli, 85), Djafarkuliyev (Bayramov, 55), Emreli (Aliyev, 69), Dadashov (Gurbely, 69).

2026 World Cup. UEFA Zone Qualification. 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 qualification will take place from March 2025 to March 2026 and consist of two rounds. Teams will compete for 16 spots at the World Cup finals.

Round 1: Twelve groups with five or four teams each will play from March to 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 four best group winners of UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 who finish below second place at the European qualification group stage, will participate in mini-tournaments.

Round 2: 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 place in intercontinental playoffs.

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

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

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

OFC (Oceania): 1 spot + 1 place 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. Twelve groups of four teams each will be formed. The top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams advance to the round of 16.

Matches of the 23rd World Cup will take place in 16 cities. They 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 will be held in New York on July 19.

Final Tournament Schedule for 2026 World Cup