England learn FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualifying draw

World Cup draw

Three Lions In FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw

The England men's senior team is set to compete against Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in their qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Europe.

Teams have been organized into 12 groups, each consisting of four or five teams, and England has learned their group placement as the journey towards the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico kicks off.

The England national football team was placed in Pot 1, along with Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland, and Austria. They were then grouped in Group K with Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra.

The draw was conducted with help from former players, including Rachel Yankey, a highly celebrated ex-England international in women's football, along with Ariane Hingst, Fernando Llorente, Gianluca Zambrotta, and Robert Pires.

Future England men's head coach Thomas Tuchel was present at the draw in Zurich, which revealed the opponents for the Three Lions in the UEFA Preliminary Draw. He will officially begin his new position on January 1, 2025.

**Group A:** The winner from quarterfinal 4 (Germany or Italy), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg **Group B:** Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, and Kosovo **Group C:** The loser from quarterfinal 3 (Portugal or Denmark), Greece, Scotland, and Belarus **Group D:** The winner from quarterfinal 2 (France or Croatia), Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan **Group E:** The winner from quarterfinal 1 (Spain or Netherlands), Turkiye, Georgia, and Bulgaria **Group F:** The winner from quarterfinal 3 (Portugal or Denmark), Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, and Armenia **Group G:** The loser from quarterfinal 1 (Spain or Netherlands), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, and Malta **Group H:** Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino **Group I:** The loser from quarterfinal 4 (Germany or Italy), Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova **Group J:** Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein **Group K:** England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra **Group L:** The loser from quarterfinal 2 (France or Croatia), Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar

Countries that have been placed into groups of five will kick off their campaign in March, while those in groups of four will begin their journey in September 2025. All group stages will wrap up by November 2025.

A total of 16 UEFA nations will secure spots in the 48-team World Cup set to begin on June 11, 2026. This will include the 12 teams that automatically qualify by winning their groups, while the last four spots will be filled through play-offs featuring the 12 teams that finish as runners-up in their groups.

More details about the ballots and sale dates will be shared with all members soon. As always, The FA is committed to securing as many tickets as possible for all away games.

The schedule for the matches is listed below, although the locations have yet to be finalized.

England will face Albania at 7:45 PM GMT on Friday, March 21, 2025.

Match between England and Latvia scheduled for 7:45 PM GMT on Monday, March 24, 2025.

Andorra vs. England at 5 PM British Summer Time on Saturday, June 7, 2025.

England will face Andorra at 5 PM BST on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

Serbia versus England at 7:45 PM British Summer Time on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

Latvia vs England at 7:45 PM BST on Tuesday, October 14, 2025

England vs. Serbia at 7:45 PM GMT on Thursday, November 13, 2025.

Albania will take on England at 5 PM GMT on Sunday, November 16, 2025.

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