UEFA

UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, is the governing body for football in Europe and the strongest confederation in world football. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland, UEFA oversees the most prestigious club and national team competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and the European Championship. For the FIFA World Cup 2026, UEFA has been allocated 16 qualifying spots — the largest of any confederation — reflecting the depth and quality of European football. European nations have won the majority of World Cup titles, with powerhouses like Germany, France, Spain, England and Italy among the historical giants of the game. UEFA teams are perennial favourites, combining tactical sophistication, world-class players and rich footballing traditions. At the expanded 48-team 2026 tournament across North America, European representatives will once again be among the strongest contenders for the trophy.

UEFA was allocated 16 spots at FIFA World Cup 2026, the first edition expanded to 48 teams. 16 teams from the confederation qualified for the tournament held across the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Nyon, Switzerland. Throughout World Cup history, teams from the confederation have made notable contributions, and they aim to achieve even better results at the 2026 edition — the largest tournament ever staged.