All the teams participating in the competition, including the teams of the four final tournament host associations (England, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales), are entered into the qualifying group stage draw, organised by the UEFA administration on completion of the league phase of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. Teams are drawn into 12 groups of four or five.
The following principles and conditions apply to the qualifying group stage draw:
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Teams are seeded according to the interim overall 2026/27 UEFA Nations League rankings (see the Regulations of the UEFA Nations League).
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The four host association teams and Northern Ireland are drawn into separate groups.
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The four winners of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League quarter-finals, represented by one placeholder for each quarter-final pairing, are each drawn into a different group of four.
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Each group of five teams can hold a maximum of one defeated team of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League quarter-finals or one team participating in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League A/B and B/C play-offs.
Additional principles and conditions may apply, subject to approval by the UEFA Executive Committee.