Türkiye, presently ranked twenty eighth within the newest FIFA standings, shall be positioned in Pot 2 for the draw on Dec. 13 in Zurich.
The draw will set the stage for 12 teams, every battling for a prized spot within the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
With the U.S., Mexico and Canada set to co-host the match, the street to qualification is intensifying as European nations brace for the problem forward.
Pots breakdown
FIFA’s announcement confirmed the composition of the pots for European qualifiers:
Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, Austria
Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Türkiye, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czechia, Norway
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Israel
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Lithuania
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, San Marino
Europe to ship 16
For the primary time in historical past, the FIFA World Cup will characteristic 48 groups, with 16 slots allotted to Europe.
Twelve group winners will safe direct qualification, whereas the remaining 4 spots shall be contested in a high-stakes playoff involving 12 group runners-up and 4 further groups from the UEFA Nations League.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup guarantees to be a match like no different, boasting 104 matches unfold throughout three host nations.
The motion kicks off on June 11, 2026, at Mexico City’s iconic 83,000-seat Estadio Azteca.
The grand finale will happen on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with a capability crowd of 82,500 anticipated.
Türkiye drops
The Crescent-Stars have slipped two locations to twenty eighth within the FIFA World Rankings, with a rating of 1537.24 following an 11-point drop in November.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion and 2024 Copa America winner, retain the highest spot, whereas France and Spain spherical out the highest three.
Source: www.dailysabah.com