What seeded European teams have qualified for the World Cup playoffs?

WE are counting down the days until the World Cup 2026 – but several teams still have work to do if they are to be on the plane.

The group stages may have concluded but there are still four remaining spots for European sides to qualify via the playoffs.

England made history by pulling off a perfect qualifying campaign after winning every single match without conceding a single goal.

Spain, Germany and France were also impressive on their journey to the World Cup.

And there’ll be more nations around Europe who will be dreaming to join some of the best footballing countries around.

What seeded European teams have qualified for the World Cup playoffs?

as it stands

IN THE HAT

World Cup 2026 play-off draw: Date, time, how to watch, teams and how it works?

WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS

McTominay’s overhead kick puts Scotland ahead, Wales lead

Pot 1 (home semi-final, home final)
Italy 9th
Denmark  20th
Austria 24th
Turkey 26th

Pot 2 (home semi-final)
Ukraine 27th
Poland 33rd
Wales  34th
Czech Rep 44th

Pot 3
Slovakia 46th
Albania 61st
Ireland 62nd
Kosovo 84th

Pot 4 (Nations League)
Sweden 40th
Romania 47th
North Macedonia 65th
Northern Ireland 69th

When is the World Cup 2026 play-off round draw?

• The draw takes place on Thursday, November 20 at 12pm GMT.
• It is being held at Fifa’s headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland.

How does the World Cup 2026 play-off round draw work?

• Nations are split into four pots.
• Qualifying group runner-ups go into pot one, two and three depending on their world ranking.
• Pot four is full of those involved via their Nations League victory.
• One team from each pot will be drawn into separate paths.
• The pot one team plays the pot four side in a one-legged semi-final, as pot two and three play each other, with the nation from the higher pot at home.
• The draw will determine the home side for the final.