Croatia learns 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
(Photo credit: Bruno Correia/Public Domain/CC)
Croatia has discovered its possible 2026 World Cup qualifying opponents after the draw was made on Friday in Zurich.
Croatia were seeded in Pot 1, but because they are in the UEFA Nations League finals, they will not know until after they face France in the quarterfinals in March exactly who their opponents will be.
If Croatia beats France, they will be in Group D with Ukraine, Iceland, and Azerbaijan.
If Croatia is defeated by France, they will be in Group L and will face Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands and Gibraltar.
A total of 54 European nations will compete in the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
They have been divided into 12 groups of four or five teams.
Matches will follow a home-and-away format, running from March to November 2025.
The matches will be played during the international breaks 21-25 March, 6-10 June, 4-9 September, 9-14 October and 13-18 November.
A total of 16 European teams will qualify with group winners securing direct qualification, while the runners-up will advance to a play-off round.
The 2026 World Cup will kick off on 11 June in Mexico City and conclude on 19 July in New Jersey.
