When is the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers draw? Which channel will broadcast it? What time? Turkey's opponents to be determined
The countdown has begun for the World Cup Qualifiers draw. The draw, which will take place at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, will determine Turkey's opponents on the road to the World Cup. Turkey will participate in the draw from the second pot and will compete in a 4-team group. 16 countries from Europe will be determined to participate in the World Cup. So, when is the World Cup Qualifiers draw, what time is it, and which channel will broadcast it? Who are Turkey's potential opponents? Here are the details and the channel where the draw will be broadcast live...
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Excitement for the European qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada, is growing. As the draw to determine Turkey's opponents approaches, all eyes are on this important moment. So, who will be the national team's potential opponents? When and at what time will the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers draw take place?
WHERE WILL IT BE BROADCAST?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers draw will take place today at 14:00 TSI at the FIFA headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. The draw will be broadcast live on the TV8,5 and Exxen platforms.
TURKEY WILL BE IN A 4-TEAM GROUP
Turkey will compete in a group among 54 countries, participating in the draw from the 2nd pot. As a result of the draw, a total of 12 groups will be formed, 6 of which will have 5 teams and 6 of which will have 4 teams.
Since Turkey will play a play-off against Hungary in March to be promoted to League A in the UEFA Nations League, it will be placed in a 4-team group.
WHEN WILL THE MATCHES START?
While the first matches in the five-team groups will be played in March, the matches in the 4-team groups will begin in September.
TURKEY'S POTENTIAL OPPONENTS IN THE WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS
Pot 1: France, Spain, England, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Croatia, Switzerland, Denmark, and Austria.
Pot 2: Ukraine, Sweden, Turkey, Wales, Hungary, Serbia, Poland, Romania, Greece, Slovakia, Czechia, and Norway.
Pot 3: Scotland, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, North Macedonia, Georgia, Finland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Israel.
Pot 4: Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Belarus, Kosovo, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Pot 5: Moldova, Malta, Andorra, Gibraltar, Liechtenstein, and San Marino.
16 COUNTRIES WILL GO FROM EUROPE
In the 2026 World Cup, where a total of 48 teams will participate, 16 countries from Europe will earn the right to participate. The 12 teams that finish their groups in first place in the European qualifiers will go directly to the World Cup.
For the remaining 4 tickets, play-off matches will be held with a total of 16 teams, including the 12 group runners-up and 4 teams coming from the UEFA Nations League. The play-off matches will be played in March 2026.
ON WHAT DATE WILL THE 2026 WORLD CUP MATCHES START?
A total of 48 teams will compete in 12 groups in the 2026 World Cup, and 104 matches will be played throughout the tournament. The opening match of the world's most prestigious football organization will be held on June 11, 2026, at the 83,000-capacity Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico.
The final match will be played on July 19, 2026, at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium in the US state of New Jersey.