Check out how European teams are faring in the World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Although the European qualifiers for the World Cup began in March, no team from the Old Continent has secured, so far, a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

With the new format adopted by UEFA, Gazeta Esportiva presents the updated overview of the standings for European teams.

Teams on Track

According to data from the specialized portal Football Meets Data, nine European teams are well on track for a spot in the next World Cup.

The closest to qualification — described with a 100% chance — is Croatia, Brazil's nemesis in the last World Cup. In the next FIFA window, the team faces Faroe Islands and Montenegro, and needs only a draw to secure its place.

England, Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, and Norway also appear with more than a 98% probability of securing a spot. The English, Spanish, and French could confirm their qualification as early as this FIFA window.

Denmark, Germany, and Belgium, leaders of their groups, should only secure their spots in the next international window, in November.

Playoff Race

The battle for the 12 playoff spots is more balanced, but some teams are already well positioned. Czech Republic, who lost to the Faroe Islands in this FIFA window, is virtually guaranteed a playoff spot, since, to advance directly, they would need Croatia to lose both of their next matches.

Sweden, Romania, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, Ukraine, and Turkey have over a 90% chance of reaching the playoffs.

Another eight teams are fighting for the remaining four spots: Northern Ireland, Moldova, Hungary, Scotland, Albania, Wales, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Understand the Format

The current format of the Qualifiers, introduced by UEFA in this cycle, allocates 16 spots for the 2026 World Cup — the first with 48 participating teams.

The 12 group leaders secure direct qualification, while the 12 runners-up and the four best-ranked teams from the Nations League (who do not secure direct qualification) compete in the playoffs.

The group stage of the Qualifiers ends on November 18, 2025, while the playoffs, which will determine the last four European representatives, will be concluded on March 31, 2026.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.