World Cup 2026 draw LIVE: England qualifying campaign CONFIRMED as Thomas Tuchel learns Group K opponents
THOMAS TUCHEL now knows EXACTLY who England will be facing during qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Tuchel will officially begin his role as the new head of the England on January 1, but was in attendance to see his side drawn into Group K.
The draw took place at Fifa HQ in Zurich, Switzerland, with nations placed into 12 groups of four and five teams.
As they were drawn into a group of five teams, England will start their campaign in March 2025 - those drawn in a group of four start in September 2025.
- FREE live stream: Fifa YouTube / BBC Sport website
- TV channel: Not available on UK TV
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Follow ALL the action from the World Cup 2026 qualifying draw with our live blog below...
The groups so far
The either/ors in the list below are due to the Nations League quarter-finals.
Group A: Winner of Germany/Italy, Slovakia, NORTHERN IRELAND
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia
Group C: Loser of Portugal/Denmark, Greece, SCOTLAND
Group D: Winner of France/Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland
Group E: Winner of Spain/Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia
Group F: Winner of Portugal/Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland
Group G: Loser of Spain/Netherlands, Poland, Finland
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group I: Loser of Germany/Italy, Norway, Israel
Group J: Belgium, WALES, North Macedonia
Group K: ENGLAND, Serbia, Albania
Group L: Loser of France/Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro
IRELAND IN GROUP F!
The Irish will play their qualifying games against the winner Portugal and Denmark.
Dark horses Hungary were the first team drawn into Group F.
Montenegro drawn into Group L
They play Czechia and the loser of France v Croatia.
As things stand for England in Group K...
- England
- Serbia
- Albania
- Latvia
- MORE TEAM...
Iceland join Ukraine and the loser of Portugal v Denmark
North Macedonia join Wales and Belgium in Group J
Israel in Group I
- Israel
- Norway
- Loser Ger/Italy
Finland are drawn into Group G
They face either Spain/Ned, but definitely Poland.
Scotland are drawn into Group C
The Scots face the loser of Portugal vs Denmark and Greece!
Slovenia join Sweden and Switzerland in Group B
POT 3 NAMES DRAWN NOW...
Northern Ireland aiming for their first World Cup!
They're in Group A with Slovakia and the winner of Germany v Italy.
Missed ones
Romania are in Group H with Austria, while Erling Haaland's Norway face the loser of Germany vs Italy in Group I
Czechia are in Group L
Again, it's complicated but they will face the loser of France v Croatia.
England joined by Serbia in Group K
Wales join Belgium in Group J
Turkey are in Group E
Alongside the winner of France v Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Ukraine are Group D
This is where it gets complicated, so they end up in Group G, alongside the winner of France v Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals.
Greece have been drawn into Group C
Poland Group G
Sweden join Switzerland in Group B
Slovakia have been drawn into Group A
FIRST NAMES DRAWN FROM POT 2...
Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, WALES, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Greece, Romania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Norway
The loser of the France v Croatia in the Nations League quarter-finals will be in Group L.
That's Pot 1 complete. And what a confusing draw. Stay tuned for the full run down. It's only just begun...
The winner of Portugal vs Denmark in Group F
Winner of Spain vs Netherlands have been drawn into Group E
