The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway as UEFA held the draw for the European Qualifiers in Zurich, Switzerland. Türkiye, placed in Pot 2, was drawn into Group E alongside the winner of the Spain vs Netherlands UEFA Nations League quarter-final tie, Georgia, and Bulgaria.
The qualification campaign leads to the expanded 48-team World Cup set to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
Representing the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) at the draw were TFF President İbrahim Ethem Hacıosmanoğlu, Deputy President Ceyhun Kazancı, General Secretary Abdullah Ayaz, National Team Head Coach Vincenzo Montella, Senior Advisor Yusuf Yerkel, Foreign Affairs and National Teams Executive Director Buğra İmamoğulları, and Administrative Manager Mert Tuncay.
Group Stage Structure
The draw produced 12 groups—six with five teams and six with four teams. The four teams still competing in the Nations League quarter-finals (Spain, Netherlands, France, Croatia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Denmark) will be slotted into groups of four depending on their March results.
Türkiye’s Group E
- Spain/Netherlands (TBD)
- Türkiye
- Georgia
- Bulgaria
Qualification Format
- Group Winners (12 teams): Direct qualification to the 2026 World Cup
- Group Runners-Up (12 teams): Advance to play-offs
- 4 Nations League Group Winners (not finishing 1st/2nd in qualifiers): Join play-offs
- Play-offs: 16 teams compete in single-leg semi-finals and finals for 4 remaining UEFA spots
Key Dates
- Group Stage Matches: March – November 2025
- Play-Offs: March 26 & 31, 2026
- Final Tournament: June 11 – July 19, 2026
The stage is set. With a revitalized squad and solid recent performances, Türkiye will aim to reach their first World Cup since 2002. All eyes now turn to March, when the final group compositions will be confirmed following the Nations League clashes.