The 2026 World Cup will be played in the US, 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.

Qualifying matches start in March next year and will be played through until November, and teams will play each other home and away.

--Reuters--