Welcome to World Cup travelers. In today's video, we will review the new 2026 qualifying format for the UEFA Confederation covering the European continent.
This Confederation is the most successful in world cup history, with a total of 12 world cup wins divided into 5 previous winners.
The number of qualifying slots will go from 13 to 16, and it will be the only confederation "not" to have an intercontinental playoff slot.
A total of 55 countries will participate in qualifying or 54 if Russia's FIFA indefinite suspension is still in effect before the draw takes place next year.
In the new format, the teams will be divided into 12 groups of either 4 or 5 teams.
They will play home and away matches against each other with the 12 group winners qualifying to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
the 12 runner-up teams from each group will join the best 4 nations league group winners, based on the nations league overall ranking, that finished outside the top two of their qualifying group.
These teams will be drawn into 4 paths featuring a single-match semi-final and final format. the 4 path winners will qualify directly for the world cup.
Qualifying begins on March 2025, and will end on March 2026
