The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be historic for more reasons than one. For the first time, the tournament will be jointly hosted by three countries: the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The matches will take place from June 11 to July 19. The USA will host the event for the second time following their 1994 World Cup debut. Conversely, Mexico is hosting the tournament for the third time, having previously welcomed the world in 1970 and 1986. The 2026 tournament will also introduce a new 48-team format, expanding the competition's scope.
The 2026 World Cup represents a crucial opportunity for Greece to return to football's grandest stage. After a 12-year absence, the Greek national team aims to secure qualification, and based on the draw, this goal appears within reach. Greece's last World Cup appearance was in 2014 in Brazil, where they reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Costa Rica in a penalty shootout.
Greece will now look to return to America in 2026, but this time not to Latin America. While the task ahead is tough, coach Ivan Jovanović’s squad has the quality to take on Portugal, Denmark, Scotland, and Belarus and secure a spot in the tournament.
Qualification Structure
Greece has been placed in Group 3 of the European qualifiers, which will conclude in March 2025 when the Portugal vs. Denmark Nations League playoff loser will be confirmed. The first leg will be played in Denmark on March 20, with the return leg in Portugal on March 23.
The qualification process consists of six groups of four teams and six groups of five. The group winners will earn automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup. The remaining four European spots will be decided in March 2026 through a playoff system involving 16 teams: the 12 runners-up from the groups and the four best first-place teams from the 2024-2025 UEFA Nations League who haven't yet qualified or entered the playoffs.
Should Greece finish first in its group, it will secure an automatic spot in the 48-team finals. However, if it finishes second, it still has a chance to qualify through the playoffs.
The qualification matches will begin in September 2025 and conclude in November 2025. If Greece has to enter the playoffs, the semifinals will occur on March 26, 2026, with the final scheduled for March 31, 2026.
Key Dates:
- Matchday 1: September 4–6, 2025
- Matchday 2: September 7–9, 2025
- Matchday 3: October 9–11, 2025
- Matchday 4: October 12–14, 2025
- Matchday 5: November 13–15, 2025
- Matchday 6: November 16–18, 2025
Greece’s Record Against Portugal, Denmark, Belarus, and Scotland
Greece's record against its potential group opponents is mixed but promising.
- Portugal: Greece has a strong record against Portugal, with five wins, five draws, and four losses from 14 encounters. Two of these historic wins were Greece's victories in the opening match (2-1) and the final (1-0) of Euro 2004, when Greece won the European Championship.
- Denmark: Greece’s record against Denmark is less favourable, with only three wins, four draws, and 9 losses in 16 meetings. However, the 1982 World Cup qualifiers featured one of Greece’s most memorable victories—a 1-0 win in Copenhagen, where goalkeeper Nikos Sarganis earned the nickname “Phantom” for his incredible save against Denmark’s star player, Preben Elkjær.
- Scotland: Greece will meet Scotland four times in 2025—twice in the Nations League playoffs and twice in the World Cup qualifiers. In two previous encounters, both teams have one win and one loss each, signaling a competitive and unpredictable fixture.
- Belarus: Greece has a positive record against Belarus, winning two out of their three previous encounters, with one draw. Belarus, however, is considered the weakest team in the group and is unlikely to pose a significant challenge to Greece.
FIFA Rankings and Opponent Performance
- Portugal (FIFA Rank: 6th): Portugal enters the qualifiers as the highest-ranked team in the group. They finished first in their Nations League group, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. Despite their strong performances in recent competitions, including reaching the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, Portugal remains vulnerable in high-pressure knockout stages. With Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, aiming for one final World Cup, Portugal will be a formidable opponent.
- Denmark (FIFA Rank: 21st): having finished second in their Nations League group, Denmark is a solid team but not at the level of their 1980s or Euro 1992-winning squads. The Danes were eliminated in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, and it will be a tough challenge for Greece, especially if they join the group after losing the Nations League playoff against Portugal.
- Scotland (FIFA Rank: 45th): Scotland finished third in their Nations League group and will face Greece in the playoff for promotion to League A. Scotland is not known for dazzling football but has strong players like Scott McTominay and John McGinn. They can pose a threat, especially with their tough defensive approach.
- Belarus (FIFA Rank: 98th): Belarus is the lowest-ranked team in the group. They have never qualified for a major tournament like the World Cup or Euro, and their most expensive player is a goalkeeper valued at just €1 million. They are unlikely to trouble Greece significantly.
The Road to America:
Greece's qualification path will not be easy. Portugal, Denmark, Scotland, and Belarus present a mixture of challenges, but the Greek team has the potential to secure a place in the 2026 World Cup. With a blend of experience and rising talent, Greece will aim to improve on its past World Cup appearances, where it reached the Round of 16 in 2014.
If Greece can top their group, they will be on the plane to America in 2026. If not, the playoffs offer a second chance—though they will need to be at their best to overcome the stiff competition that lies ahead.
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