The European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicked off this March, igniting excitement among football fans across the continent. From March to November 2025, teams vying for a coveted spot in the tournament will be battling it out in a series of matches.
The qualifiers began on March 21, 2025, with several notable matches. Malta faced Finland, ultimately losing 0-1, while Poland managed to secure a 1-0 victory against Lithuania. Additional matches on the same day saw Cyprus triumph over San Marino with a 2-0 win and Romania fall to Bosnia and Herzegovina with a 0-1 loss. England also scored big, defeating Albania 2-0, marking a strong start for the Three Lions.
Looking ahead, March 22 will see Liechtenstein take on North Macedonia, with an expected kickoff at 15:00, followed by Moldova facing Norway at 18:00, and Montenegro battling Gibraltar also at 18:00.
The following matchday scheduled for March 24 will pit Lithuania against Finland at 18:00, while Poland will meet Malta once more. Bosnia and Herzegovina will play against Cyprus, San Marino will face Romania, and Albania will take on Andorra, with England set to face Latvia that same day.
As the qualification progresses, anticipation continues to build. Germany's position in the qualification process remains contingent on their performance in the Nations League. Should they succeed, they will face Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg. However, an elimination would shift their competition to Norway, Israel, Estonia, and Moldova.
The intensity does not wane as fans await the headline matches. England's clash against Serbia is one that many are marking on their calendars, while Austria prepares to square off against familiar foes, Romania and Bosnia. In further matches, the winner of the semifinal battle between Spain and the Netherlands will take on Turkey, heightening the stakes as teams seek to secure their path to the World Cup.
In total, 16 European teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with twelve group winners earning automatic entry and the remaining four spots decided through playoffs. Twelve group runners-up will compete in the playoffs, scheduled for March 2026, where they will battle for a chance at World Cup glory.
Germany's home matches will see them competing at select venues in September, October, and November 2025, assuming they perform well in the Nations League. Cologne, Sinsheim, and Leipzig have been designated as key locations for their home fixtures. If they fail to advance in the Nations League, their World Cup qualification will commence sooner, with their first game against Moldova in Stuttgart on June 9, 2025.
Television broadcasts for these qualification matches have been finalized, with ARD and ZDF covering the major games, while streaming service DAZN will showcase additional matches from the European Qualifiers. This partnership ensures fans will have ample opportunity to watch the action unfold as nations vie for their place in the tournament.
As anticipation builds for the 2026 World Cup and with the qualification matches now underway, it remains to be seen which teams will emerge victorious and secure their positions at the world's biggest football event. The excitement is palpable, and every match will be crucial.
