Croatia topped Group L and booked its place at the World Cup without drama. Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo*, both finishing second in their groups, now head into the March 2026 play-offs, where they will have a realistic chance to secure qualification. On the other hand, Serbia, Slovenia, Montenegro, and Albania failed to reach the play-off spots and currently remain out of contention unless a Nations League pathway unexpectedly opens for them.
Across Europe, the list of group winners – and therefore the teams that have qualified directly – includes England, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Austria, Scotland, Switzerland and Croatia. These nations dominated their respective groups and secured automatic tickets without needing additional matches.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026 across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, marking the first tri-hosted edition in history and the largest World Cup ever held.
