The qualification process for the 2026 World Cup in Europe has been modified to include a larger number of smaller groups. The format now consists of twelve groups, divided between four-team and five-team groups. Each team will face their opponents home and away within their respective groups, earning points based on these matches. The top team from each group will automatically secure a place in the World Cup, while the runners-up will move into a play-off round. This play-off stage will feature the winners of four Nations League quarter-finals, adding an extra layer of competition to determine the final four spots for Europe in the global tournament.

For the draw, teams are placed in five pots based on their FIFA rankings. Pot one features the top-tier teams such as Spain, Germany, and England, while the subsequent pots include nations with lower rankings. There are restrictions in place to prevent politically sensitive match-ups and to minimize travel for countries facing distant opponents. For instance, Ukraine and Belarus cannot be drawn together, and Kosovo must be kept apart from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The draw will also account for weather-related considerations, such as avoiding groupings that would require teams from colder regions to face each other in suboptimal conditions. The play-offs will take place in March 2026, with the tournament itself starting on June 11 and running through July 19, 2026, marking the first time the World Cup will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.