The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be a thrilling event, with a total of 16 teams from UEFA set to qualify for the tournament. This prestigious global competition will be held from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across Canada, Mexico, and the United States. A mix of established footballing nations and emerging teams will vie for glory.
Confirmed European Teams for World Cup 2026
So far, several teams have secured their spots for the World Cup:
- Croatia – Group L winners
- England – Group K winners
- France – Group D winners
- Germany – Group A winners
- Netherlands – Group G winners
- Norway – Group I winners
- Portugal – Group F winners
Qualification Process
A total of 16 UEFA nations will qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The qualification details are as follows:
- 12 group winners automatically qualify.
- The remaining four spots are determined by playoffs involving the group runners-up.
In the playoffs, the group runners-up will compete with the four best-ranked group winners from the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League who did not finish in the top two of their groups. This structure provides an exciting avenue for teams to secure their World Cup places.
Team Profiles
Croatia
Croatia qualified by winning Group L. The team, led by coach Zlatko Dalić, has shown consistent performance, having reached the World Cup final in 2018 and taking third place in 2022. Key player Luka Modrić continues to play a pivotal role at 40 years old.
England
England emerged as Group K winners under new coach Thomas Tuchel. They finished their qualification with a perfect record, scoring 22 goals and conceding none. The squad boasts stars like Harry Kane and rising talents Anthony Gordon and Elliot Anderson.
France
France topped Group D, marking their eighth consecutive World Cup qualification. The team, featuring superstar Kylian Mbappé, aims for a third consecutive final appearance after finishing as runners-up in 2022.
Germany
Germany overcame an early setback in Group A to secure their qualification. Under coach Julian Nagelsmann, the new generation of players, including Florian Wirtz, looks to bring the team back to glory.
Netherlands
Securing victory in Group G was a hard-fought battle for the Netherlands, who were propelled by the outstanding performance of Memphis Depay. The team seeks to finally win the World Cup after three runner-up finishes.
Norway
Norway has qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years after finishing atop Group I. The formidable duo of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard will be key to their performance in the tournament.
Portugal
Portugal qualified comfortably from Group F, marking their seventh consecutive World Cup appearance. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, they have their sights set on reaching their first final after previously finishing third in 1966.
Looking Ahead
The remaining 12 group runners-up will enter the playoffs, alongside select teams from the Nations League. This expanded qualification mechanism ensures competitive depth in the upcoming World Cup.
The anticipation is building as Europe prepares for a thrilling showcase at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the exciting talent across the continent.
