How can England qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

England will try to secure a place at next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico when they play Latvia in a European qualifier on Wednesday.

The Three Lions made it six wins in seven under manager Thomas Tuchel by beating Wales 3-0 in an international friendly on Friday.

Tuchel retained the squad from last month’s Group K qualifying wins against Andorra and Serbia for the matches in this international window, leaving out high-profile names such as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden, while injuries also ruled out captain Harry Kane, Reece James and Noni Madueke.

READ ALSO | Messiless Argentina beats Venezuela in friendly match

«The door is always open for anyone to jump in. (Against Wales) we had four substitutions compared to the game in Serbia. We had to make four substitutions but it was seamless and everyone who started played with the same energy… Happy to prove another point. The next camp is the next nomination,» Tuchel said.

HOW CAN ENGLAND QUALIFY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP 2026?

England have a perfect record in the qualifying competition and top the group with 15 points, followed by Albania in second place with eight.

England can qualify for the World Cup on Wednesday if it beats Latvia and Serbia loses points in the matches against Serbia (October 12) or Andorra (October 15).

If England draw or lose against Latvia, they will be unable to secure a place in next year’s tournament in this international window.

Published on October 11, 2025