THE SPORTS GROUND: WORLD CUP 2026 QUALIFICATION DRAW HELD

The draw for the qualifying groups for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, occurred in Zürich.

On Friday, the groups of the European qualifiers for the upcoming world tournament were drawn, and Croatia, as one of the holders, was in the first strong group.

Given that the outcome of the quarter-finals of the League of Nations, in which the Vatreni will face France, is not yet known, Croatia can be in one of two groups. In the case of passing, they will play in Group D against Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan. In the case of a defeat, they will play in Group L against the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, and Gibraltar.

Only the group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed teams and the four best teams in the League of Nations will try to secure the remaining four places through the playoffs.

Group A: Winner Germany/Italy, Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Defeated Portugal/Denmark, Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: Winner France/Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group E: Winner of Spain/Netherlands, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria
Group F: Winner Portugal/Denmark, Hungary, Republic of Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Defeated Spain/Netherlands, Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Defeated Germany/Italy, Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group K: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: Defeated France/Croatia, Czech Republic, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar