The 2026 World Cup draw for the European qualification groups has now been completed, with plenty of Arsenal players set for involvement.
The draw for the European World Cup qualifiers was completed this week, though there are still some details to iron out. The Nations League finals will determine where some of the teams involved end up, meaning some uncertainty about which opponents Arsenal’s internationals could face.
The group stage matches will take place in 2025, between March and November, followed by play-off matches in 2026 for the 12 teams that finish as group runners-up (along with the four best-performing Nations League teams that didn’t finish first or second).
Let’s have a look at the draw as it stands, and the potential opposition for the members of Mikel Arteta’s squad taking part.
2026 World Cup European qualifying draw
Group A
- Germany/Italy
- Slovakia
- Northern Ireland
- Luxembourg
Arsenal should have at least one international in Group A, with the winner of the Nations League match between Italy and Germany in June determining which of the two is in the group.
If Germany win, Kai Havertz should be involved. If Italy win, Riccardo Calafiori and possibly Jorginho should be involved.
Group B
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Slovenia
- Kosovo
As it stands, Arsenal won’t have any internationals in this group.
Group C
- Portugal/Denmark
- Greece
- Scotland
- Belarus
Arsenal will have Kieran Tierney in Group C with Scotland, and they may also have either Fabio Vieira or Nuno Tavares involved with Portugal, but only if Portugal lose to Denmark in their Nations League match.
Group D
- France/Croatia
- Ukraine
- Iceland
- Azerbaijan
Arsenal will have Oleksandr Zinchenko in Group D with Ukraine, and William Saliba may join the group with France if they beat Croatia in the Nations League.
Group E
- Spain/Netherlands
- Turkey
- Georgia
- Bulgaria
Arsenal should have at least one player in Group E, but it’s not clear which one yet. The winner of Spain’s Nations League match against the Netherlands will be in the group, so either David Raya and Mikel Merino could be involved, or alternatively Jurrien Timber.
Group F
- Portugal/Denmark
- Hungary
- Republic of Ireland
- Armenia
If Portugal win against Denmark, this will be where Tavares and Vieira might end up.
Group G
- Spain/Netherlands
- Poland
- Finland
- Lithuania
- Malta
The loser of the Spain-Netherlands tie will end up here, along with Jakub Kiwior with Poland.
Group H
- Austria
- Romania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Cyprus
- San Marino
As it stands, Arsenal won’t have any internationals in this group.
Group I
- Germany/Italy
- Norway
- Israel
- Estonia
- Moldova
This will be a busy group for Arsenal, with Martin Odegaard of Norway joining Karl Hein of Estonia and the loser of the Germany-Italy tie.
Group J
- Belgium
- Wales
- North Macedonia
- Kazakhstan
- Liechtenstein
Leandro Trossard should be involved in Group J with Belgium.
Group K
- England
- Serbia
- Albania
- Latvia
- Andorra
England’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice will be in Group K, with Ben White also reportedly under consideration for a return to the national side, and an outside possibility that the likes of Raheem Sterling, Reiss Nelson, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly could feature.
Group L
- France/Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Montenegro
- Faroe Islands
- Gibraltar
The loser of the France-Croatia tie will end up here, so Saliba could play in this group depending on that result.