Can someone please explain when the qualifiers are for the European countries as it appears we have Nation League matches this autumn.
I really have no clue nowdays what is what.
Nations League is September, October and November internationals. So March 2025 at the earliest if we win our group, later than that in June 2025 if we're involved in playoffs etc.
Sorry, still doesn't help.
Do we (England) have a proper WC qualifying campaign (like getting knocked out by Hungary in 1973) ? If so, is this separate to the Nations League or part of it ?
As Callum mentioned, WC qualifying will begin in March 2025.
Can someone please explain when the qualifiers are for the European countries as it appears we have Nation League matches this autumn.
I really have no clue nowdays what is what.
Nations League is September, October and November internationals. So March 2025 at the earliest if we win our group, later than that in June 2025 if we're involved in playoffs etc.
Sorry, still doesn't help.
Do we (England) have a proper WC qualifying campaign (like getting knocked out by Hungary in 1973) ? If so, is this separate to the Nations League or part of it ?
Separate.
Twelve groups of four/five teams - with group winners qualifying directly to the 2026 World Cup.
Twelve group runners up will qualify for the playoffs (alongside four best Nations League teams who aren’t already qualified or in the playoffs to make up the numbers) and play for the last four UEFA places (four places, 16 teams -> semi final followed by a final).
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
Ah, if so could be a tough one to qualify from. Will likely have to better a decent side in the group or get through the lottery of the playoffs.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot one team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
Based on Qualifying for the Euros, if we don't top our Nations League Group. or even come second, which would be a shock, but reason to treat the Nations League very seriously (rather than as glorified friendlies), then its possible we'll be in Pot 3.
Part of me wont be surprised if we dont qualify for the World Cup.
If some teams dont take the Nations League seriously, we could end up with a Qualifying Group that involves a Spain AND a France (if the latter were to get relegated for example like what we've just been). Its the one fuck up that Southgate made, by putting us in this position.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
Fingers crossed that remains true then. On current rankings it looks like the best teams we could face would be Hungary or Turkey if seedings were based on rankings
European qualifying is March to November 2025, with playoffs in March 2026. If England get drawn in a group of 4 all the games will be over 3 international windows from September to November 2025. Group winners qualify, runners up go into the playoffs with 4 countries that did well in the Nations League but missed the top 2 in qualifying. Wikipedia says the draw for the groups is in December, but that info has the dreaded [citation needed] next to it so don't plan your life around it.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
I was sent below from The Sun, and not sure if it is true or not. If true, then the WC draw won't be from FIFA rankings.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September."
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
I was sent below from The Sun, and not sure if it is true or not. If true, then the WC draw won't be from FIFA rankings.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September."
Tin foil hat time, but with the conflicting reports... I wonder if UEFA have made their mind up yet
Would it look good on UEFA if they did it on Nations League results, and we got a Qualifying Group of Spain - France - England, with one, maybe two of those guaranteed to miss out on reaching the World Cup.
They already altered the format of the Nations League after the first competition, changing it from three teams per Group in the top tier, to four teams... and so avoiding Germany from being relegated that year.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
I was sent below from The Sun, and not sure if it is true or not. If true, then the WC draw won't be from FIFA rankings.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September."
32 teams from outside of Europe means there are going to be some absolutely awful sides qualifying.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
I was sent below from The Sun, and not sure if it is true or not. If true, then the WC draw won't be from FIFA rankings.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September."
32 teams from outside of Europe means there are going to be some absolutely awful sides qualifying.
OFC get a confirmed place now, so if New Zealand fuck up their Qualifying then we'll get a team from the Pacific which'll be given a royal spanking (Could still happen if the OFC runner up wins the Play-Off)- Then you've got AFC and CAF wanting / getting more places, when their teams that CAN qualify previously, struggle to get out of the Groups in the first place.
We should hopefully get goals this coming tournament as a result - Although like this Euros, there is a chance now that you can finish 3rd and progress, so we'll probably get the opposite with teams going ultra defensive.
Saw the Qualifying format was changing slightly for UEFA, changing to 12 groups of 4/5 with winners going through and runners up making the playoffs alongside some Nations League best placed sides. Do we know anything about the seeding yet? Concerned if they do it based on nations league then we would not be a pot side team which could result in us drawing Germany/Spain etc which would be a real tough task for any new manager
I think the WC qualifying seeds are decided after Nations League is complete.
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
As it’s a FIFA tournament, I believe (hope) the seeding might be done on FIFA world ranking rather than Nations League performance.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
I was sent below from The Sun, and not sure if it is true or not. If true, then the WC draw won't be from FIFA rankings.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But seeding for the 12 European qualifying groups will be determined by finishing positions in the next version of the Nations League, starting in September."
32 teams from outside of Europe means there are going to be some absolutely awful sides qualifying.
Honestly, those teams can be the most exciting to watch and it means so much for those nations, so I don't hate it. Oceania have 1.5 spaces which should be fun as it almost guarantees New Zealand a place and will see an intercontinental playoff between someone like the Solomon Islands and Peru.
That being said it's frustrating that the increase in teams can almost guarantee teams like Mexico, USA, Argentina, Japan, etc qualify every single time but there's a decent chance at least one big European team misses out.
I know the qualifying formats are going to be different but based on 2022 qualifying performances, the 48 teams would roughly be… (additional teams in bold)
UEFA: Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Wales, Ukraine, Sweden, North Macedonia
AFC: Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Qatar, UAE, Iraq
CAF: Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Mali
CONCACAF: USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica
CONMEBOL: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia
OFC: New Zealand
Playoffs (playing for two spots): Oman, DR Congo, El Salvador, Honduras, Chile, Solomon Islands
Next bests by confederation… teams that wouldn’t even be involved in the playoffs
UEFA: Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, Austria, Scotland AFC: Syria, China CAF: Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso CONCACAF: Haiti, Curacao, Saint Kitts & Nevis CONMEBOL: Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela OFC: Tahiti, Papua New Guinea
I think they're saying the pony results Southgates England got in the Nations League may mean an impossible group where we play teams ranked in the top ten , may explain why he quit the job
I think they're saying the pony results Southgates England got in the Nations League may mean an impossible group where we play teams ranked in the top ten , may explain why he quit the job
But he's been holding us back and this squad should smash anyone in the qualifiers, apparently?
I think they're saying the pony results Southgates England got in the Nations League may mean an impossible group where we play teams ranked in the top ten , may explain why he quit the job
Yes. There are 12 groups, so 12 teams in "pot 1" i.e. the top seeds. If seeding is done by Nations League results, it will be impossible for any country outside the top level to be seeded because the top level has 16 countries. So the best England, or any other Group B country, can hope for is to be in pot 2. Which means there could be a tough battle for who qualifies and who goes into the playoffs, rather than the usual situation where England are seeded so their main rival will be a lower-ranked team.
I suspect Fifa will base it off fifa rankings. Anyway any new manager should use the nations league games to generate some momentum, Italy and Spain went on long unbeaten runs before their successes hope to see us do the same
I think they're saying the pony results Southgates England got in the Nations League may mean an impossible group where we play teams ranked in the top ten , may explain why he quit the job
The same results dictated our Euro 2024 qualification group (which included Italy), which we won comfortably.
There’s no confirmation whether qualifying pots will be based on this autumn’s Nations League results or the November FIFA rankings. We likely won’t know for a couple of months yet.
We do know that pot 1 will have 12 teams who will be the expected 12 group winners so going off Nations League results would be bad for England who are stuck in League B with a best possible ranking of 17th (but as @cafctom says we managed fine with that handicap last time).
On the other hand, FIFA rankings would be business as usual where England are set to be ranked third in Europe behind France and Spain in the latest rankings.
I lean towards them using FIFA ranking because that’s the precedent from last World Cup qualifying but won’t assume that UEFA aren’t going to change that…
European qualifying is March to November 2025, with playoffs in March 2026. If England get drawn in a group of 4 all the games will be over 3 international windows from September to November 2025. Group winners qualify, runners up go into the playoffs with 4 countries that did well in the Nations League but missed the top 2 in qualifying. Wikipedia says the draw for the groups is in December, but that info has the dreaded [citation needed] next to it so don't plan your life around it.
We were discussing the seedings back in the summer. That got sorted out in an announcement in early September - seedings are to be based on the FIFA rankings at the time of the draw (November or December I think) except that any country finishing first or second in the Group A Nations League division will be in pot 1 even if ranked below 12. So if England are in the top 4 UEFA nations in the rankings a pot 1 seeding is guaranteed despite the Nations League issues and in reality 8th to 10th would probably be enough. Even with the Greece fiasco that looks pretty safe given that England are currently ranked 4 in the world so 3 in UEFA. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/41119542/england-handed-reprieve-world-cup-qualifying-draw
Been thinking about this & wonder if seedlings should be dropped altogether. No wonder why the same half a dozen teams win the world cup.....they get an easy ride through to the quarter finals etc.
Would be nice just for once to have a draw that is totally non biased. Imagine a WC Finals with Spain, Italy, Brazil & Germany all in 1 group with Costa Rica, America , Iceland & South Africa in another.
Comments
Twelve groups of four/five teams - with group winners qualifying directly to the 2026 World Cup.
Twelve group runners up will qualify for the playoffs (alongside four best Nations League teams who aren’t already qualified or in the playoffs to make up the numbers) and play for the last four UEFA places (four places, 16 teams -> semi final followed by a final).
However, we won't be a top seed as we were relegated from the top Nations League last time. Even if we win our league in League B, there will still be a League A side in our WC qualifying group.
It was done on FIFA world ranking for the 2022 qualifying draw which makes me think it will likely be that again this time around. 🤞
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
“The 55 teams were seeded into six pots based on the November 2020 FIFA World Rankings, after the conclusion of the league phase of the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.”
Based on Qualifying for the Euros, if we don't top our Nations League Group. or even come second, which would be a shock, but reason to treat the Nations League very seriously (rather than as glorified friendlies), then its possible we'll be in Pot 3.
Part of me wont be surprised if we dont qualify for the World Cup.
If some teams dont take the Nations League seriously, we could end up with a Qualifying Group that involves a Spain AND a France (if the latter were to get relegated for example like what we've just been). Its the one fuck up that Southgate made, by putting us in this position.
"Europe have 16 places in the expanded competition which will see 48 teams play in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Would it look good on UEFA if they did it on Nations League results, and we got a Qualifying Group of Spain - France - England, with one, maybe two of those guaranteed to miss out on reaching the World Cup.
They already altered the format of the Nations League after the first competition, changing it from three teams per Group in the top tier, to four teams... and so avoiding Germany from being relegated that year.
We should hopefully get goals this coming tournament as a result - Although like this Euros, there is a chance now that you can finish 3rd and progress, so we'll probably get the opposite with teams going ultra defensive.
That being said it's frustrating that the increase in teams can almost guarantee teams like Mexico, USA, Argentina, Japan, etc qualify every single time but there's a decent chance at least one big European team misses out.
UEFA: Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Wales, Ukraine, Sweden, North Macedonia
AFC: Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, Qatar, UAE, Iraq
CAF: Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Mali
CONCACAF: USA, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, Jamaica
CONMEBOL: Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia
OFC: New Zealand
Playoffs (playing for two spots): Oman, DR Congo, El Salvador, Honduras, Chile, Solomon Islands
Next bests by confederation… teams that wouldn’t even be involved in the playoffs
UEFA: Italy, Turkey, Czech Republic, Austria, Scotland
AFC: Syria, China
CAF: Ivory Coast, South Africa, Burkina Faso
CONCACAF: Haiti, Curacao, Saint Kitts & Nevis
CONMEBOL: Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela
OFC: Tahiti, Papua New Guinea
Having read this thread I have no idea what the fuck people are talking about.
Here's the Wikipedia article - personally I find the way Wikipedia explains qualifying easier to understand than the official sites.:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
Group A1: Croatia, Portugal, Poland, Scotland
So whilst we can get Spain, Germany or France, we could theoretically also get Scotland, Israel or Bosnia too
I lean towards them using FIFA ranking because that’s the precedent from last World Cup qualifying but won’t assume that UEFA aren’t going to change that…
9 World Cup qualifiers played. Scored 2, conceded 3.
Two 1-0 wins.
Three 1-0 defeats.
Four 0-0 draws.
https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/41119542/england-handed-reprieve-world-cup-qualifying-draw
Would be nice just for once to have a draw that is totally non biased. Imagine a WC Finals with Spain, Italy, Brazil & Germany all in 1 group with Costa Rica, America , Iceland & South Africa in another.
The last two World Cups have been fantastic, the ‘smaller’ nations certainly seem to closing the gap on the bigger ones.
The format didn’t need changing but we know what FIFA are all about.