- The 2026 World Cup qualifying draw took place in Zurich on Friday
- Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of England for their qualifying campaign
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England have learned who they will face in their 2026 World Cup qualifying group after the draw took place on Friday.
The global tournament is set to take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada, with new boss Thomas Tuchel, who was in attendance for the draw in Zurich, hoping to lead the Three Lions to glory for the first time since 1966.
And England now know they will have to take on Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra in Group K in order to book their place at the World Cup.
The clash with Serbia will be a rematch of England’s opening game at Euro 2024, which was settled by Jude Bellingham’s early header.
England went on to make the final of that tournament, but will hope to go one step further in North America.
There are 12 qualifying groups in total, with the winners of each automatically qualifying for the World Cup.
New England boss Thomas Tuchel attended the World Cup qualifying draw in Zurich
England will face Serbia again, after beating them 1-0 thanks to a Jude Bellingham header at the Euros
Harry Kane’s England will also face Albania, Latvia and Andorra in qualifying
The runner-ups in each group will go into the play-offs, with four teams set to progress from those to make the tournament.
Each side will face each other at home and away, meaning Tuchel’s side will have eight qualifying matches.
Elsewhere, the other four home nations also discovered their opponents for qualifying.
Scotland, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, have been placed in Group C alongside Greece, Belarus and the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark.
Wales reached the last World Cup two years ago to end their 64-year wait to play on the biggest stage.
They have been drawn in Group J alongside Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.
Republic of Ireland will face Hungary, Armenia and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark in Group F, while Northern Ireland are in Group A with Slovakia, Luxembourg and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between Germany and Italy.
More to follow…
