The World Cup qualifiers kicked off in March, and most of the European teams that were not involved in the UEFA Nations League (UNL) competitions played their first matches. The following are the conditions for qualifying for the World Cup.

There are 55 European nations, although 54 will compete as Russia remain suspended due to the invasion of Ukraine.

There are 12 groups of four or five teams, playing home and away matches. The group stage qualifying process continues with double-headers in June, September and October, and it's then completed in November.

The 12 group winners will qualify directly for the World Cup, with the 12 runners-up entering the playoff system.

The final four places at the World Cup will be determined via the UEFA playoffs, to be played in March 2026. There is no path to the World Cup through FIFA's inter-confederation playoffs.

The UEFA playoffs involve 16 teams: the 12 runners-up plus the four best-ranked group winners from the UNL, who did not finish in the top two in World Cup qualifying. This creates four routes, each with four teams featuring a one-legged semifinal and a final for a place at the World Cup.

The priority order for the four World Cup playoff places through the UNL is: Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, Norway, Wales, Czechia, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova, San Marino

Of the 14 teams to win their UNL groups, 10 of those were in Pot 1 or 2 for the World Cup qualifying draw -- so on ranking would finish in the top two of their group. If that comes to pass, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Moldova and San Marino would get a playoff place.

Seeding:

Pot 1: World Cup qualifying group runners-up with the best four records

Pot 2: As above, teams fifth to eighth

Pot 3: As above, teams ninth to 12th

Pot 4: UEFA Nations League teams

Semifinals:

Pot 1 vs. Pot 4

Pot 2 vs. Pot 3