1/5/2026

The Group Draw happened back on December 6th with most of the group stage matches set. However there are still 6 spots up for grabs in the tournament. Two spots are coming from the FIFA playoff tournament and the other 4 are coming out of the European playoffs.

FIFA Playoffs

Path 1 will play in Group K and will play Portugal in their first group match. Path 1’s opening match is March 26th where New Caledonia plays Jamaica in a loser out game. The winner will play DR Congo on March 31st for the final spot in group K. New Caledonia is looking for their first ever trip to the World Cup while Jamaica and DR Congo are looking to make their 2nd appearances.   

Path 2 will play in Group I and face Norway in the first group match. Path 2’s opening match will be played March 26th between Bolivia and Suriname. The winner of that match will play IR Iran on the 31st for the last group I spot. Suriname is trying to get to the World Cup for the first time ever while it would be IR Iraq’s 2nd and Bolivia’s 4th appearances.

European Playoffs

Path A will play in Group B  against one of the Tournament hosts Canada in the first group match. Path A has Italy vs Northern Ireland and Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina playing on March 26th in loser out matches. The winners will face each other on March 31st for the last spot in group A. Bosnia and Herzegovina are looking for their 2nd World Cup appearance, Wales their 3rd and Northern Ireland their 4th. Italy is a 4 time champion and trying to make their 19 trip to the big show after missing out on the last 2.

Path B will play in Group F and take on Tunisia in the first group match. Path B has Ukraine vs Sweden and Poland vs Albania playing on March 26th in loser out matches. The winners play on March 31st for the last spot in group F.  Albania looks for their first trip to the World Cup and Ukraine their 2nd while Poland seeks their 10th and Sweden their 13th.

Path C will play in Group D and has an opening group round match with Australia. Path C has 2 matches on March 26th with Turkiye playing Romania and Slovakia playing Kosovo in loser out games. The winners will face off for the last group D spot on March 31st. Romania has the most World Cup experience and seeks their 8th trip. Turkiye would make it for the 3rd time and Slovakia their 2nd. Kosovo is trying to get to the World Cup for the first time ever.

Path D will play in Group A with Korea Republic, their first group opponent. Path D will play 2 matches on March 26th with Denmark vs North Macedonia and Czechia vs Republic of Ireland. The winners will play on March 31st for the last spot in group A. North Macedonia is looking to make their inaugural trip to the World Cup. Ireland would make their fourth trip, Denmark their 7th and Czechia their 10th.

The 2026 World Cup starts on June 11th with Mexico playing South Africa in the first match of the group stage. 

Group Round Table:

elisportsnetwork.com