European qualifying for the 2026 World Cup concluded on Tuesday with Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, Scotland, and Austria booking their spots in the tournament.

Spain managed to secure the top position in Group E despite a 2-2 draw against Turkey, subsequently matching Italy’s impressive 31-game unbeaten record in competitive encounters dating from 2018 to 2021.

In Group C, Scotland triumphed over a 10-man Denmark, winning 4-2, highlighted by a remarkable bicycle kick from Scott McTominay just three minutes after the kickoff.

Austria qualified by settling for a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Group H, while Belgium delivered an emphatic 7-0 victory over Liechtenstein. Switzerland rounded off the qualifying process with a 1-1 draw in Kosovo.

A total of 12 group champions progressed directly to the World Cup, whereas the second-place teams will engage in playoffs alongside four highly-ranked group winners from the 2024-25 Nations League who did not finish first or second.

These playoffs are scheduled for March 26 and March 31. The main event, the World Cup, will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.