Türkiye’s nationwide soccer crew has landed in Group E for the FIFA 2026 World Cup European qualifiers, going through a difficult lineup that features the winner of the Netherlands-Spain UEFA Nations League quarterfinal conflict, Georgia and Bulgaria.
The draw, performed at FIFA headquarters in Zurich, positioned Türkiye within the second seeding pot.
Representing the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have been President Ibrahim Hacıosmanoğlu, Vice President Ceyhun Kazancı and head coach Vincenzo Montella, amongst others.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the upcoming match as “one of the greatest World Cups ever,” whereas UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin expressed hope for the participation of Europe’s most interesting groups.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada, guarantees to ship unprecedented soccer motion, with 48 groups competing in 104 matches throughout 12 teams.
Türkiye’s street to N. America
Türkiye’s marketing campaign kicks off in September 2024, with the four-team teams commencing later than the five-team teams, which begin in March.
Each crew will play home-and-away matches, with the group stage wrapping up by November 2025.
The high 12 group leaders from the European qualifiers will safe direct berths to the World Cup.
The second-placed groups and 4 UEFA Nations League entrants will vie for the ultimate 4 spots in a playoff in March 2026.
Türkiye’s group stage opener and eventual playoff hopes hinge on navigating a fiercely aggressive lineup.
The greater image
Group E is just not the one one filled with intrigue.
Here’s how the remainder of the draw shapes up:
Group A: Germany/Italy (winner), Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg
Group B: Switzerland, Sweden, Slovenia, Kosovo
Group C: Portugal/Denmark (loser), Greece, Scotland, Belarus
Group D: France/Croatia (winner), Ukraine, Iceland, Azerbaijan
Group F: Portugal/Denmark (winner), Hungary, Ireland, Armenia
Group G: Netherlands/Spain (loser), Poland, Finland, Lithuania, Malta
Group H: Austria, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, San Marino
Group I: Germany/Italy (loser), Norway, Israel, Estonia, Moldova
Group J: Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein
Group Ok: England, Serbia, Albania, Latvia, Andorra
Group L: France/Croatia (loser), Czechia, Montenegro, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar
Key dates
First matches: March 2024 (five-team teams), September 2024 (four-team teams)
Group stage ends: November 2025
Playoff matches: March 2026
World Cup opening match: June 11, 2026, at Azteca Stadium, Mexico City
World Cup remaining: July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey
Source: www.dailysabah.com