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The Hungarian national football team finds itself in a critical moment as the European qualifying draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches. On December 13, 2024, the draw in Zurich will decide the fate of Hungary and 54 other European teams aiming to secure a spot in the prestigious tournament. Under new rules announced by FIFA, Hungary’s position in the second tier of teams presents both opportunities and challenges as the draw will determine whether the team is placed in a four- or five-team group, writes Magyar Nemzet.
Previously, Hungary had been placed in the second tier and was expected to be grouped with teams from the second, third, and fourth seed groups in four-team groups. This would have meant that Hungary’s World Cup qualifying campaign would not begin until September 2025, and it would have increased the possibility of facing stronger opponents early on. However, FIFA’s revision of the qualifying system has changed the group structure.
Photo: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert
This new structure creates a tight timeline for Hungary. Should the team be drawn into a five-team group, they will face two World Cup qualifiers in June and must play two UEFA Nations League play-off matches against Turkey in March. This could interfere with Marco Rossi’s plans to schedule friendly matches for preparation. On the flip side,
In terms of the opponents Hungary could face, the draw provides both excitement and anxiety. In the third tier, Hungary could be matched with teams like Scotland, Slovenia, or Ireland, all of whom are solid competitors. The fourth-tier teams, such as Bulgaria, Kosovo, and Armenia, are also potential opponents, and these teams are often unpredictable. While Hungary could still face some weaker teams, such as Luxembourg or Montenegro, the potential for tougher matches remains high, especially if they draw a team from the higher tiers.
The draw process itself is a significant event, with 12 teams from the first tier, including football powerhouses like France, Spain, and Italy, being drawn first into one of 12 groups. Hungary, as part of the second-tier group, will be drawn next, followed by teams from the third and fourth tiers. The draw will determine the final matchups for all qualifying groups. Afterward, the order and dates for matches will be announced, with all home teams required to confirm their match venues at least 90 days before the game.
The second-place finishers in each group, along with four teams from the UEFA Nations League, will compete in a knockout round for the remaining spots.
#FIFAWorldCup 26 will kick off on 11 June 2026!#WeAre26 pic.twitter.com/BbJ4qMj7zy
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) February 4, 2024
For Hungary, the qualifying process will be anything but straightforward. The team’s fate in the upcoming draw will depend on the final composition of their group, but the new system promises an unpredictable journey.
The national team will next play in the Nations League in March against a group runner-up from the B division.Continue reading
Via Magyar Nemzet; Featured image via MTI/Czeglédi Zsolt
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