Sweden has a challenging path to the World Cup.
Sweden was last in its own World Cup qualifying group. PDO
The final spots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals are still up for grabs, and the match pairs for the further qualifiers were drawn on Thursday in Zurich.
The deciding matches to be played next spring will determine which four countries complete the European land quota.
The UEFA further qualifiers form a separate tournament of 16 teams, from which only the winner of each qualification path makes it to the World Cup.
A harsh draw for Sweden
Sweden ended up in the further qualifiers only thanks to the Nations League ranking and faced tough opponents in the B path. Sweden, ranked 43rd in the Fifa ranking, will first face Ukraine ranked 28th.
The place in the final tournament of the World Cup opens up for the Swedes only if the team is able to knock down Ukraine and then in the final between the winner of the match between Albania and Poland.
Italy avoided the worst
Italy is seeking its first World Cup spot since 2014. EPA / AOP
In the A path, the draw favored Italy. The country giant, who missed the previous two World Cup tournaments, will first face Northern Ireland on their home field and avoid the worst possible opponents this time.
In a possible final, either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina will face each other.
WC qualifiers
Semi-finals 26.3.2026
- Wales–Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Italy–Northern Ireland
- Ukraine–Sweden
- Poland–Albania
- Slovakia–Kosovo
- Turkey–Romania
- Czech Republic–Ireland
- Denmark–North Macedonia
Finals 31.3.2026
- Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina–Italy/Northern Ireland
- Ukraine/Sweden–Poland/Albania
- Slovakia/Kosovo–Turkey/Romania
- Czech Republic/Ireland–Denmark/North Macedonia
Among the European countries, Belgium, England, Spain, Holland, Austria, Croatia, Norway, Portugal, France, Germany, Scotland and Switzerland have secured their place in the World Cup as group winners of the qualifiers.
Further qualifiers outside of Europe
While Europe is deciding its places, an intercontinental qualifying tournament between six countries will be played in Mexico, where the last two World Cup tickets are up for grabs.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo will face New Caledonia-Jamaica in the deciding match, while Iraq will face the winner of the Bolivia-Suriname match.
The World Cup tournament will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico in the summer of 2026. The opening match of the tournament will be played on June 11.
For the first time, 48 countries are participating. 42 countries have already secured their place in the Games.