Setting the Stage

The European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup kick off on September 5, 2025, as Greece prepares to face Belarus, with the match scheduled for 20:45 Central European Time.

The qualifying group presents an intriguing challenge, with Greece, Belarus, Scotland, and Denmark all vying for positions, making each match crucial in the quest for World Cup qualification.

Greece’s Strong Position

Greece enters this opening World Cup 2026 qualifier in exceptional form. Their recent performance in the Nations League B has been remarkable, where they competed alongside England, Ireland, and Finland, securing impressive results with 5 victories in 6 matches, only falling short against England.

Under the guidance of Ivan Jovanović, Greece has developed into a formidable unit, successfully blending experience with young talent. The Serbian coach has fostered an excellent team atmosphere, leading to significant achievements including promotion to Nations League League A and a historic 2-1 victory at Wembley against England.

Belarus’s Challenge

Belarus, regular competitors in League C of the Nations League for three consecutive tournaments, have shown limited progress despite the appointment of Spanish coach Carlos Alós two years ago. While they’ve reduced their losses, victories remain scarce, with their last Nations League campaign yielding just one win, four draws, and one defeat.

Looking Ahead

The match takes place in Group 3, which includes Denmark and Scotland alongside Greece and Belarus. With only the group winner guaranteed direct qualification to the finals, every point is crucial. The opening match against Belarus is particularly significant as Greece cannot afford to drop points at this early stage.

The stakes are high for Greece, who will face Denmark in their next match on September 8, making this opening game even more crucial for setting the tone in their qualification campaign.