The number of possible opponents for the German national soccer team in qualifying for the 2026 World Cup has been reduced to seven. According to the draw in Zurich, the DFB team will either play in Group A against Slovakia, Northern Ireland and Luxembourg or in Group I against Norway, Israel, Estonia and the Republic of Moldova. The assignment to the groups will be decided in the quarter-finals Nations League
against Italy.
The duel between the two major football nations will be played in two games on March 20th and 23rd next year. If the German team prevails, they will not only move into the Nations League semi-finals, but will also save themselves two World Cup qualifying games because the winner will be allowed to start in a group of four. The loser has to play two additional games in a group of five against one of the supposedly weakest opponents.
In an initial reaction, national coach Julian Nagelsmann classified group A of four as “slightly easier” than group I of five. There, Norway is a “very good opponent” with some strong players – including, above all, former Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. “We are the favorites in both groups,” said Nagelsmann Sky. However, it is true that every player would like to go to the World Cup, and for this to happen a successful qualification must be played. The DFB selection goes into the games with the self-confidence that “we want to come first in the group, no matter what happens,” DFB sports director Rudi Völler said before the draw.
Nagelsmann is hoping for additional momentum from the Nations League
In the quarter-finals of the Nations League against Italy The decision is made about the respective place in the qualification group. Nagelsmann expects “two exciting games” from two teams that have recently improved. The Squadra Azzura, which missed the last two World Cup tournaments, has recently shown an offensive and attractive style of play.
A victory over the Italians could mean that the Final Four tournament of the Nations League takes place in Germany. “That would be a nice ending” and another chance for a title in our own country, said Nagelsmann. The national coach pointed out that Spain recently won the Final Four and then won a major title. Of course, winning the Nations League is not a guarantee of becoming world champion.
54 European national teams are taking part in the qualification for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The game is played in twelve drawn groups – half with four and half with five teams. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup finals, which will be held for the first time with 48 participants from June 11 to July 19, 2026. The runners-up in the group have another chance in playoff games. The first matchday of the European World Cup qualification will take place from March 17th to 25th, 2025.
All drawn qualification groups:
- Group A: Germany or Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
- Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
- Group C: Portugal or Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
- Group D: France or Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
- Group E: Spain or Netherlands, Türkiye, Georgia, Bulgaria
- Group F: Portugal or Denmark, Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
- Group G: Spain or Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
- Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
- Group I: Germany or Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
- Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
- Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
- Group L: France or Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
With material from the dpa news agency
