The UEFA qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, feature a new structure and expanded slots for European teams. With 16 direct qualification spots up for grabs, the stakes are high for established footballing powers and emerging nations. Below, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of each group, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the teams and offering predictions for who will qualify. The draw occurred on Friday, 13th December, at noon in Zurich, Switzerland.

Group A

Teams: Germany/Italy (winner), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg

Analysis: This group is set to be dominated by either Germany or Italy, depending on which team finishes higher in the UEFA Nations League. Both countries have a rich footballing pedigree and are expected to secure automatic qualification. Slovakia has shown improvement in recent years and could challenge for second place. Northern Ireland’s consistency has waned, while Luxembourg’s progress in European football is notable but unlikely to translate into a qualification spot, but not enough to earn them at least a playoff spot, as despite being a good team as a unit, they still lack that individual talent up front, with an aging Rodrigues currently looking off the pace as he is playing his club football in China.

Prediction: Germany/Italy will win the group, with Slovakia as a potential playoff contender. Third place Northern Ireland and fourth Luxembourg (both with the same amount of points collected but Northern Ireland with a better direct encounter)

Group B

Teams: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo

Analysis: Switzerland’s experience and consistency make them favorites to top Group B. They have consistently qualified for major tournaments in recent years. Sweden’s youthful attacking talent, led by Alexander Isak, will be key to their campaign. Slovenia’s defensive resilience makes them tough to beat. Still, Sweden will edge them out for third, as in terms of individual talent and tight matches, the Swedes will have a little more experience in the locker, while Kosovo’s unpredictability could make them a potential spoiler; however, in tight-margin matches, they will find it difficult. However, all in all, it is a close group for everyone, including Kosovo; hence, this group will be a tough nut to crack.

Prediction: Switzerland to win the group, with Sweden taking second place. Slovenia in third and Kosovo fourth.

Group C

Teams: Portugal/Denmark (loser), Greece, Scotland, Belarus

Analysis: The loser of the UEFA Nations League matchup between Portugal and Denmark will be the favorite to win this group. Both nations have immense quality, with Portugal’s attacking depth and Denmark’s tactical cohesion giving them the edge over Greece and Scotland. Scotland has made great strides in recent years, but Greece’s defensive prowess will make it a close fight for second place. Belarus’s limited squad depth leaves them as outsiders, but they can gain points against the likes of Greece and Scotland and will push the Danes and Portuguese.

Prediction: Portugal/Denmark (loser) to win the group, with Greece edging Scotland for second place and Belarus finishing fourth.

Group D

Teams: France/Croatia (winner), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan

Analysis: France or Croatia, depending on their UEFA Nations League performance, will likely dominate this group. Both teams have world-class talent, with France’s depth giving them an edge. Ukraine’s resilience under tough circumstances should see them compete for second place; however, in spite of Iceland’s golden generation fading away, I do see them edging out Ukraine, with the war-torn country just missing out while the Nordic side just passes through on equal points and a better goal difference, while Azerbaijan’s prospects are slim, but they can give Ukraine and Iceland a very good fight indeed, as previous results to the likes of Slovakia have shown they cannot be underestimated.

Prediction: France/Croatia (winner) will win the group, with Iceland in contention for second place, third will surprisingly go to Ukraine, and fourth to the Azeris.

Group E

Teams: Spain/Netherlands (winner), Türkiye, Georgia, Bulgaria

Analysis: Either Spain or the Netherlands will claim the top spot in this group. Spain’s technical brilliance and depth make them strong contenders, while the Netherlands’ resurgence under Ronald Koeman has been promising. Türkiye’s young, talented squad can compete for second place, but Georgia’s emerging stars, such as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, could provide an upset. Bulgaria is unlikely to challenge.

Prediction: Spain/Netherlands (winner) to win the group, with Türkiye taking second place and Georgia and Bulgaria finishing third and fourth, respectively.

Group F

Teams: Portugal/Denmark (winner), Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia

Analysis: The winner of the UEFA Nations League clash between Portugal and Denmark will likely dominate this group. Hungary’s recent rise in European football has been impressive, with Dominik Szoboszlai leading the charge. The Republic of Ireland has struggled for consistency in recent years, while Armenia will be the dark horse of this group, but the Magyars will edge them out for second, hence another tasty group.

Prediction: Portugal/Denmark (winner) will win the group, with Hungary finishing second, Armenia in third, and the Republic of Ireland finishing fourth.

Group G

Teams: Spain/Netherlands (loser), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta

Analysis: The loser of the UEFA Nations League matchup between Spain and the Netherlands is expected to win this group. Poland, with Robert Lewandowski still a key figure, will compete for second place. Finland’s compact style and defensive strength make them potential spoilers; however, the Poles will edge them out. Both Lithuania and Malta are unlikely to contend, but in the race for 5th place, Malta looks more in form as a side right now, and they will likely edge out the Baltic side by the courtesy of equal points but a better direct encounter.

Prediction: Spain/Netherlands (loser) to win the group, with Poland securing second place, Finland in third, Malta fourth, and Lithuania fifth.

Group H

Teams: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino

Analysis: Austria’s squad depth and quality give them an edge in this group. Romania’s revival has been steady, and they have a chance to finish second. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s experience, with Edin Džeko still leading the line, could push them into contention. Cyprus will finish fourth, collecting points at home against Romania and even predicting a home victory against Bosnia, while San Marino will likely finish at the bottom; however, this group will be a good preparation for their potential play-off World Cup spot as they will know the intensity of the sides they will come up against.

Prediction: Austria to win the group, with Romania finishing second, Bosnia and Herzegovina third, Cyprus fourth, and San Marino fifth.

Group I

Teams: Germany/Italy (loser), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova

Analysis: The loser of the Germany vs. Italy UEFA Nations League matchup is heavily favored to win this group. Norway’s firepower, with Erling Haaland leading the line, gives them a strong chance to claim second place and can even challenge the Germans and Italians for first; however, they will be second in the end. Moldova’s dynamic young talent could cause problems for their rivals, and I will put them at third, in addition to also having a potential play-off spot to their name. Estonia and Israel are unlikely to contend; however, it is Israel who, in spite of having a positive Nations League campaign with a victory over Belgium in a group containing France and Italy, cannot underestimate both Moldova and Estonia, who can compete against Israel; however, they will finish fourth, just edging Estonia and under Moldova.

Prediction: Germany/Italy (loser) to win the group, with Norway taking second place, Moldova third, Israel fourth, and Estonia fifth.

Group J

Teams: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein

Analysis: Belgium’s generational shift hasn’t diminished their status as favorites. Wales will need to adapt post-Gareth Bale, and some of their squad have diminished in quality and might even fall to third place. North Macedonia’s capacity for upsets shouldn’t be overlooked, and second place is achievable; however, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein will likely finish near the bottom, although Kazakhstan might put up a historical surge and compete for that second place, seeing the results they have put in the last four years.

Prediction: Belgium to win the group, with North Macedonia finishing second, Wales finishing third, Kazakhstan fourth, and Liechtenstein fifth.

Group K

Teams: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra

Analysis: England’s star-studded squad is the clear favorite. Serbia’s attacking duo of Aleksandar Mitrović and Dušan Vlahović should see them finish second. Albania’s growth in recent years makes them a dark horse, and I will put them at second, just edging Serbia in what is a heated clash between these two sides that share a hostile history with each other and a repeat fixture of the Euro 2016 qualifying encounter, which event ended with the fixture being suspended and eventually Albania handed a walkover. While Latvia and Andorra will struggle, however, they will both have interesting battles between them; however, with a more offensive style of play, Latvia will be a better side in both direct encounters.

Prediction: England to win the group, with Albania securing second place, Serbia third, Latvia fourth, and Andorra fifth.

Group L

Teams: France/Croatia (loser), Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar

Analysis: France or Croatia, depending on the UEFA Nations League outcome, are heavy favorites. Czechia’s pragmatic approach should see them finish second, just edging a very tricky Montenegro by a few points, while the Faroe Islands are likely to win both direct encounters against Gibraltar by a slim margin in a clash that features two micro-members in the UEFA confederation where they share a population of 90,000 inhabitants between two members.

Prediction: France/Croatia (loser) to win the group, with Czechia taking second place, Montenegro third, Faroe Islands fourth, and Gibraltar fifth.

Final thoughts

With 16 UEFA teams guaranteed qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, competition is fierce. While traditional powers like Germany, France, and Spain are expected to qualify, there’s room for surprise entries like Hungary, Romania, and Norway. Each group has its own drama, and the expanded World Cup slots mean more nations have a chance to shine on the biggest stage. The road to North America promises to be one of the most exciting UEFA qualifying campaigns in recent history.