Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Spain qualified
The European qualification for the 2026 World Cup has produced several strong nations that secured their place convincingly. This article explains how Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Spain qualified for the tournament. Discover the key matches, notable statistics and what these nations can expect in North America.
Belgium qualified for the 2026 World Cup
A strong qualification campaign by Belgium
Belgium has once again qualified for the 2026 World Cup, and did so convincingly. The team finished top of Group J in the UEFA qualifiers. A 7–0 victory over Liechtenstein on the final matchday secured the decisive lead. It continued the team's strong run in the road to qualification.
Belgium remained unbeaten throughout the qualification campaign. It began with a 1–1 draw against North Macedonia, followed by several dominant wins. The team sometimes gave away a lead but recovered in time. Kevin De Bruyne’s late goal against Wales was crucial for momentum.
Clear victories followed against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan, including two 6–0 wins. These results provided a comfortable position. Belgium aimed to recover after a disappointing 2022 World Cup. The goal is to deliver another strong performance, similar to the third-place finish in 2018.
The next opponents will be revealed during the draw in December in Washington DC. Belgium looks forward to a challenging tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Expectations are high as the team prepares for the event.
Austria qualified and back on the world stage
Austria’s performance in the UEFA qualifiers
Austria has qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1998. The team finished top of Group H after a solid campaign. A 1–1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina on the final matchday was enough. The team collected six wins from eight matches.
Under Ralf Rangnick, Austria played with high intensity and clear structure. The team scored 23 goals and conceded only five. This demonstrated a strong balance between attack and defence. This approach formed the basis of their success.
The country has a rich World Cup history. The best result came in 1954, with a third-place finish. The current squad contains a mix of experience and young talent. Austria hopes to surprise again at the 2026 World Cup.
Key players such as David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer form the backbone of the team. Alaba returned from injury and brings calmness and experience. The core of the team plays disciplined and energetic football.
Strengths of the Austrian team
- Compact defending with strong pressing
- Quick transitions in attacking phases
- Balanced mix of experience and youth
With this approach, Austria aims to impress again on the world stage. The goal is to reach at least the knockout phase. Many analysts believe a surprise is possible.
Switzerland secures a place at the 2026 World Cup
Consistent Swiss performances in UEFA Group B
Switzerland qualified for the 2026 World Cup after a 1–1 draw with Kosovo. This result maintained an unbeaten run in Group B. The team finished top with four wins and two draws. They scored 14 goals and conceded only two.
The country is known for its consistency in qualifiers. Switzerland has not missed a World Cup since 2006. The team has appeared in six consecutive tournaments. Switzerland now aims to finally progress beyond the Round of 16, which it failed to do in the last three editions.
Coach Murat Yakin emphasises discipline and unity. The squad shows experience and energy when it matters. The team has lost only one World Cup qualifier since 2017. This highlights the nation’s steady quality.
Important role for Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka is the leader of the team and brings immense experience. With over 140 caps, he is Switzerland’s all-time appearance holder. His leadership in midfield forms a strong foundation. His move to Sunderland added new responsibility and challenge.
Switzerland hopes to use this experience at the 2026 World Cup. The goal is to reach at least the quarter-finals. That would be a historic achievement.
Spain qualified again for the 2026 World Cup
Unbeaten campaign in Group E
Spain has qualified again for the 2026 World Cup and remained unbeaten. The team delivered strong results in the UEFA qualifiers. Five consecutive clean-sheet victories created a comfortable lead. Spain conceded a goal only in the final match.
A 2–2 draw with Türkiye in Seville secured the decisive point. Spain finished as group winners. Türkiye was sent to the play-offs. This underlined the strength of the Spanish squad.
Historic successes and goals for 2026
Spain has an impressive World Cup history. The team won the 2010 tournament through dominant possession football. Since then, Spain has taken part in every edition. The aim is to deliver another deep run at the 2026 World Cup.
The current squad blends experience with new talent. The team possesses strong technical ability. Under Luis de la Fuente, Spain plays disciplined and structured football. Ambitions are high and directed towards a long tournament run.
Characteristics of the Spanish team
- Strong ball control and technical play
- Impenetrable defensive structure in qualifying
- Extensive experience in major tournaments
These qualities make Spain one of the favourites at the 2026 World Cup. The squad aims to compete for the title once again.
Overview of European qualification results for the 2026 World Cup
The UEFA qualification shows notable differences between European nations. Belgium continues to perform consistently and remains a regular participant. Austria returns to the highest level after many years. Switzerland shows reliability once again. Spain confirms its status as a European powerhouse.
The four nations possess strong squads with distinct playing styles. The 2026 World Cup offers unique opportunities for each team. Conditions in North America make the tournament physically and tactically demanding. Teams with international experience could benefit.
European qualifying delivered four strong participants. Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Spain secured their place after convincing campaigns. Each nation enters the tournament with ambition and individual strengths. The 2026 World Cup promises to be exciting for all European contenders.
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Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Spain have qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Read how these UEFA nations secured their place.
About the author
Author of this content is Patrick. I have been playing soccer for more than 25 years and follow the daily news closely. My hobbies include playing football, running and maintaining various websites, in addition to my job as a financial professional.
I do not work for any related company or institution, so the information is reliable and independent. The information has been collected accurately from reliable sources and is regularly updated.