The football world is buzzing with anticipation after both England and Scotland officially secured their places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The focus now shifts to the upcoming draw, where the group stage opponents for these home nations will be revealed.
The Path to Qualification
Scotland's qualification was sealed in dramatic fashion with a thrilling 4-2 victory over Denmark at a jubilant Hampden Park. Goals from Scott McTominay, Kieran Tierney, and Kenny McLean powered Steve Clarke's side to their first World Cup in 28 years, marking a historic return to the global stage.
England, meanwhile, had a more straightforward path, confirming their spot among the elite. The two nations are part of a 48-team tournament, a significant expansion from the previous 32-team format. While Wales and Northern Ireland still have a chance to join them via the play-offs, the confirmed list of qualifiers is taking shape.
How the World Cup Draw Works
The all-important group stage draw is scheduled for Friday, 5 December 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, beginning at 17:00 GMT.
The qualified teams will be divided into four pots based on their rankings. Pot 1 will contain the three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—along with the nine highest-ranked qualified teams. Based on current rankings, this elite group includes: Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
The remaining pots will be filled accordingly, with Scotland projected to be in pot three. The draw will randomly select one team from each pot to form the 12 groups of four.
Can England and Scotland Meet in the Group Stage?
The short answer is yes. A group containing both England and Scotland is a distinct possibility. Unlike other continental confederations, UEFA allows for two of its member nations to be drawn into the same group. This means there is no rule preventing the old rivals from facing each other in the initial stage of the tournament in North America.
Here is a breakdown of the teams confirmed for the World Cup so far, illustrating the potential pool of opponents:
- Hosts: Canada, Mexico, United States
- Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia
- Asia: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uzbekistan
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Switzerland
- Oceania: New Zealand
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay
- North and Central America and the Caribbean: Curacao, Panama, Haiti
With 22 spots still to be decided through play-offs, the final picture is not yet complete. However, the stage is set for a fascinating draw that could pit the home nations against each other, setting up a monumental clash for British football fans.
