March 20, 2025
3 Minute Read
England & Wales Begin Their Road to the 2026 World Cup
The journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially underway, and for England and Wales, the pressure will be on from Matchday one. With a revamped qualification system, new managerial setups, and tricky fixtures ahead, the road to North America promises to be anything but straightforward.
What to Expect?
The upcoming World Cup is set to be a spectacle like never before. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the tournament has expanded to 48 teams with a 12-group format, meaning more drama, tension, and heartbreak.
For European teams, qualification won’t be easy. Only the group winners will book an automatic ticket to the World Cup, while runners-up will be forced into a play-off system. With just 16 spots available for UEFA nations, the pressure is on from the start.
England & Wales Preview:
England – Tuchel’s First Challenge
🔹 March 21: 🏟️ England v Albania– 19.45 UTC (Wembley)
🔹 March 24: 🏟️ England v Latvia– 19.45 UTC (Wembley)
The Three Lions begin their campaign under the watchful eye of new boss Thomas Tuchel. His first test comes against Albania at Wembley, before a quick turnaround sees England face Latvia three days later.
With six points expected, anything less would raise eyebrows, especially with England’s squad depth and recent tournament performances.
Wales – Can Bellamy Guide Them Through?
🔹 March 22: 🏟️ Wales v Kazakhstan– 19.45 UTC (Cardiff City Stadium)
🔹 March 25: 🏟️ North Macedonia v Wales– 19.45 UTC (Skopje)
For Wales, Craig Bellamy takes charge for his first competitive campaign, hoping to steer his team through a group that also includes Belgium, North Macedonia, and Kazakhstan.
The Welsh begin their campaign having not lost in six matches, and with Kazakhstan failing to win in their last five games, this presents a fantastic opportunity for Bellamy’s men to secure three points early on at the Cardiff City Stadium.
How Qualification Works: The Race for a Ticket to North America
The qualification process has been reshuffled, making it a real battle for spots.
- 12 group winners go through automatically.
- 12 group runners-up go into a play-off, joined by four Nations League teams.
- Only four play-off winners will secure qualification.
That means just 16 European nations will make it to the World Cup, and with international football becoming more competitive than ever, there’s no room for complacency.
The Bigger Picture: How Other Regions Are Shaping Up
🌍 South America: World Cup holders Argentina are leading the way in CONMEBOL qualifying, with Brazil and Uruguay close behind.
🌏 Asia: Eighteen nations remain in contention for eight direct spots, with Japan, South Korea, and Australia all in strong positions.
🌍 Africa: Qualifiers are still in the early stages, but Morocco, Egypt, and Cameroon are setting the pace.
🌊 Oceania: The region’s one automatic spot will likely be claimed by New Zealand, with qualification wrapping up by March 24.
Betting Insights: What to Look Out For
✅ England to win Group K: Tuchel’s team has the talent to confidently step up and win this group. However, some tricky challenges might be ahead, especially since Tuchel is just beginning his journey with the squad.
⚠️ Wales’ unpredictable path: With Belgium in their group, a play-off spot seems the most likely route, but Bellamy’s side will need consistency and should have every chance of challenging for top spot should Belgium slip up.
🌟 Get England and Scotland both to win their groups at 4.95
Final Thoughts
The 2026 World Cup qualifiers will be a marathon, not a sprint. England and Wales will be expected to hit the ground running, but surprises are guaranteed.
