The countdown is on for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place across Canada, Mexico and the US this summer. A record number of men’s teams will compete to be crowned world champions between 17 – 27 June. But which home nations teams have qualified?
England’s Group L Opponents
England’s men’s footballers qualified back in October last year after a 5-0 win against Latvia. They finished top of Qualifying Group K with an unbeaten winning streak.
The team will now move into Group L in the tournament, alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama. Their first match will be against Croatia in Texas, in the US, on Wednesday, 17 June.
So far England have appeared in 19 World Cups, but have only won it once, back in 1966.
Scotland Secure Spot in Group C
It’s been 28 years since Scotland last qualified for the World Cup, but they’ve made it this time. They beat Denmark 4-2 in their qualifying match back in November last year.
Scotland are now top of their Qualifying Group C with four wins. They will move into Group C in the tournament, alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti.
Their first match will be against Haiti on 13 June in the US. Scotland have previously qualified for 10 World Cup finals, but only appeared at nine, and they’ve never progressed beyond the group stages.
Northern Ireland’s World Cup Hopes Dashed
Northern Ireland’s 2026 World Cup dream has come to an end, after they lost their qualifying match against Italy. Michael O’Neill’s team were hoping to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years.
They placed third in their Qualifying Group A, just missing out on a chance to qualify. Northern Ireland have made it to three World Cups in the past – in 1958, 1982 and 1986, but have never made it past the group stages.
Wales Fall Short in Qualifying
Wales are not heading to the World Cup, after losing their match against Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties. Bosnia-Herzegovina will now play against Italy for a place in the Cup, and Wales will play against Northern Ireland in a friendly.
Wales’ winger Dan James said: “It just wasn’t meant to be but we always speak about together stronger and that’s what we are. It’s an absolute pleasure to play for this team. We’ll dust ourselves down because we’ve got so much to look forward to.”
Wales have only qualified for two World Cups in the past – 1958 and 2022 – where they finished bottom of the.