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Published : Dec 13, 2024 18:03 IST , Chennai – 2 MINS READ
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal could be placed in Group C or F, depending upon its results in the UEFA Nations League. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
The groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers from Europe were confirmed in Zurich on Friday, with England being drawn with Latvia, Serbia, Albania and Andorra.
The 2026 World Cup will be played in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, kicking off on June 11 with the final on July 19, and will be the first to include 48 teams, expanded from 32.
Europe will have 16 places at the tournament, up from 13 at the last World Cup and the 12 group winners qualify automatically.
The 12 group runners-up go into the playoffs along with four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish in first or second place in the European Qualifiers group stage.
Eight groups contain either the winners or losers of the Nations League quarter-finals, which take place in March 2025.
Thomas Tuchel’s first official duty as England coach on Friday was to see his new team drawn in a 2026 World Cup qualifying group with Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
Tuchel starts work in January as the first German coach of the 1966 World Cup winner but was at FIFA headquarters to see the 54 European teams drawn into 12 qualifying groups. Games start in March for groups with five teams, but groups with four teams — like England’s — will begin in September.
(with inputs from Reuters and AP)
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