Scotland‘s hopes of reaching the knockout rounds of a significant worldwide match have been as soon as once more squandered final evening in heartbreaking vogue after a a centesimal minute winner noticed them hunch out of Euro 2024 by the hands of Hungary.
The wait due to this fact continues for hopeful followers, who will probably be fast to maneuver on to the upcoming 2026 World Cup, however when does the qualification marketing campaign start?
Scotland fell on the first hurdle in Germany this summer time (Picture credit score: Getty Photos)
When does World Cup 2026 qualifying start?
The European part of World Cup qualifying has been modified prior to now 18 months after UEFA’s qualification spots have been bumped from 13 to 16 according to the elevated variety of contributors within the 2026 version of the match.
This has led to a slight change of format to qualifying, with groups now drawn into teams of 4 or 5, with the winners of every group qualifying for the match robotically.
The 12 runners up, in addition to the 4 greatest Nations League group winners, based mostly on the Nations League general rating, that completed exterior the highest two of their qualifying group, will probably be compelled into tournament-style play off, with 4 of the sixteen groups being granted qualification.
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For sides drawn into teams of 5, the qualification marketing campaign will start in late March 2025, with the primary two match days held only a few days aside.
The teams of 5 will the truth is have already performed 4 group video games earlier than the teams of 4 start their fixtures, with all teams aligning for the remaining six video games from early September 2025 and onwards.
The play-off semi finals and finals will probably be held on the twenty sixth and thirty first of March 2026 respectively, with the principle match set to start in June of that 12 months.
Extra tales
We now have a information on get Euro 2024 tickets if you happen to’re nonetheless trying to go to the match. Can’t make it on the market? Don’t fear: right here’s watch Euro 2024 stay streams from anyplace on the earth
We now have the run-down on Euro 2024 stadiums, with data on host cities, capacities, and every little thing it’s essential know.
We even have a listing of the Euro 2024 favourites, with greatest odds on nations to win European Championship in Germany, whereas these are the most effective Euros video games ever and these are the most effective pundits ever.
