UEFA has finalized the draw of teams for the World Cup 2026 qualifiers

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) held the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Zurich. The results were published on December 13 on the organization's website.

National teams were divided into 12 groups of four or five participants. Sixteen countries, including the 12 group winners, will advance to the finals. Another four places will be played in the knockout matches involving the 12 second-placed teams in the groups.

The group stage of the UEFA qualifying tournament will take place from March to November 2025. World Cup-2026 will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Earlier, on November 28, it became known that the Russian national soccer team was not among the participants of the five baskets for the draw for the qualifying tournament of the World Cup 2026.

On February 28, 2022, the International Football Federation (FIFA) and UEFA suspended national teams and clubs from the Russian Federation from participation in all competitions under the auspices of the organizations. As assured in the organizations, soccer will become "a vector of unity and peace between nations" in case the situation around Ukraine improves.