After the playoff matches of the Nations League, all groups for the World Cup 2026 qualification tournament in Europe have been formed. Notably, the third opponent for Ukraine's national team has been determined as France. In addition to France, the opponents of the blue-and-yellow team will be Iceland and Azerbaijan.

World Cup 2026 Qualification in 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 for Group D

Round 1. September 5, 2025

Ukraine — France 9:45 PM

Iceland — Azerbaijan 9:45 PM

Round 2. September 9, 2025

Azerbaijan — Ukraine 1:00 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 1:00 PM

France — Ukraine 9:45 PM

Round 6. November 16, 2025

Ukraine — Iceland 1:00 PM

Azerbaijan — France 1:00 PM

Kiev time.

UEFA (Europe): 16 spots.

Qualification in the European zone 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: 12 groups with five or four teams each will play from March to November 2025 in a traditional group stage system. The 12 group winners will receive direct tickets to the final stage.

The 12 teams that finish second, along with the four best group winners of the UEFA Nations League 2024/2025 who finish below second place in 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 16 participants will be divided into four playoff paths. Four winners will receive tickets to the World Cup 2026.

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.

World Cup 2026. Final Tournament

The World Cup 2026 will be the first in history to feature 48 teams in its final stage. There will be 12 groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group and eight best third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16.

Matches of the 23rd World Cup will take place in 16 cities. In Canada — Toronto and Vancouver, Mexico — Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey, USA — Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle.

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

World Cup 2026 Final Tournament Schedule