2026 World Cup Qualifying

[PaokCT]

POT 1	POT 2	POT 3	POT 4	POT 5
Germany	Ukraine	Scotland	Bulgaria	Moldova
Spain	Turkey	Slovenia	Luxembourg	Malta
Italy	Sweden	Republic of Ireland	Belarus	Andorra
Portugal	Wales	Albania	Armenia	Gibraltar
France	Poland	Finland	Kosovo	Liechtenstein
Denmark	Hungary	Georgia	Kazakhstan	San Marino
Croatia	Serbia	North Macedonia	Azerbaijan
Netherlands	Slovakia	Iceland	Estonia
England	Greece	Northern Ireland	Cyprus
Belgium	Romania	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Latvia
Switzerland	Czechia	Montenegro	Faroe Islands
Austria	Norway	Israel	Lithuania

 

Unfortunately, since we are playing in the Nations League playoffs, we will be in a 4 team WCQ group. All teams in Nations League playoffs will be drawn in 4 team WCQ group. That means we will get drawn with either Germany, Spain, Italy, Portugal, France, Denmark, Croatia, Netherlands, Belgium. Based on this, I don't think its possible to get Austria or Switzerland as our pot 1 opponent. Give me Denmark, Croatia, or Belgium as our POT 1 opponent. 

 

Easiest Group imo : Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Faroe Islands

Hardest Group : France, Greece, Scotland, Bulgaria

Edited November 18, 2024 by PaokCT

[HellasLEAF]

It's nice to be a pot 2 team again.  It's a good sign we are back in the right direction.  

[Antaeus7]

Denmark is no cakewalk, going to be very difficult. 

[PaokCT]

Unfortunately we probably will not have a second chance at the WC if we don’t qualify. Cause we finished 2nd in our group in nations league. All group Winners will be given priority including Northern Ireland, Moldova and San Marino

[paokarag4]

Yeah seems that is the way it shakes out unfortunately. So we need to come top 2 in our qualifying group. Top is automatic qualification and 2nd guarantees us a play-off spot.

Despite this expanded WC format from 2026 onwards, it is still tough to qualify from Europe. UEFA's allocation only increased from 13 to 16, which means it is still a tough road and good teams will miss out on the WC coming from Europe. 

[PaokCT]

At this rate, it’s better to be in league C and dominate and win rather than A or B and finish 2nd. I saw Polish journalists are bashing the system and I agree. How does the winner of league D get an easier road to the playoffs than 2nd in league A

[Ellada2004]

On 11/20/2024 at 6:42 PM, paokarag4 said:

Yeah seems that is the way it shakes out unfortunately. So we need to come top 2 in our qualifying group. Top is automatic qualification and 2nd guarantees us a play-off spot.

Despite this expanded WC format from 2026 onwards, it is still tough to qualify from Europe. UEFA's allocation only increased from 13 to 16, which means it is still a tough road and good teams will miss out on the WC coming from Europe. 

Definitely Europe is still extremely tough to qualify from even with the extra spots added. It ain’t like playing in CONCACAF we’re it’s a walk in the park.

[PaokCT]

What a draw! 
 

Portugal/Denmark loser

Greece

Scotland 

Belarus

[J1078]

1 hour ago, PaokCT said:

What a draw! 
 

Portugal/Denmark loser

Greece

Scotland 

Belarus

Great Draw for Greece!! 

[PaokCT]

Really think we sweep Belarus & Scotland and get 4 points from Denmark. 

[Ellada2004]

We get Denmark it is a great draw! I wanted Austria as our first choice from Pot 1. Greece avoid the heavy hitters Spain France and Holland would have been tough too given our history. Let’s go 🇬🇷 

[PaokCT]

IF, and that's a big if, Portugal beats Denmark. Then you would have to say this is the easiest path we have ever had to a world cup, no?

Even if we finish 2nd, we would play in the playoffs against 2 of the following teams (projected according to ranking)

Slovakia, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Norway, Wales, Serbia, Czechia, FYROM, Northern Ireland, Moldova, San Marino

[pash]

I think easy paths are exactly where we stumble the most. Still, this was a very good draw for us.

[Brklyngrk]

All being equal, this was the best draw for us. Now let's see what we can do.

[Dutch Eagle]

Fixtures:

5-9-2025: Greece - Belarus

8-9-2025: Greece - Portugal/Denmark

9-10-2025: Scotland - Greece 

12-10-2025: Portugal/Denmark

15-11-2025: Greece - Scotland 

18-11-2025: Belarus - Greece 

All matches start 21:45 EEST (Sep/Oct) or EET (Nov).

 

[PaokCT]

Actually like this order. If serious about qualifying need to win first 2 matches. Even a tie at Scotland at that point would be big. 7 points minimum after first 3 is a must

[HellasLEAF]

Amazing draw!  Getting rewarded for all this improved play and wins the Pot 2 was crucial.

Portugal should go through and while Denmark will be a stern test we can at minimum come 2nd in this group realistically and even win the group (why not?).  I think we are better than Denmark one on one right now my opinion we should respect them but not fear them.  Even if we fall to a playoff I think they will not let it slip away a 2nd time Ivan will make sure.

[Brklyngrk]

There are 4 teams on the group, we should finish 2/4.