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    England’s path to World Cup 2026 becomes clear with qualifying pots confirmed and chance of tricky meeting with rivals

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    ENGLAND are set to be among the top seeds for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers after securing their return to Nations League A.But new boss Thomas Tuchel could potentially face a nightmare encounter with a Home Nations rival as he prepares to guide the Three Lions to the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.Thomas Tuchel will guide England through the World Cup qualifiersThe Three Lions have been placed into Pot 1 for the World Cup qualifying drawEngland could be grouped against rivals Scotland next monthAfter a successful Nations League campaign under interim boss Lee Carsley, England have since been placed into qualifying Pot 1.Each of the Nations League quarter-finalists have also earned an automatic spot in Pot 1. That means Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal and Euro winners Spain will be among the highest-seeded teams.They have been joined by the four next highest ranking sides in the Fifa Men’s world list: England, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.READ MORE ON ENGLANDSo, for now, England will avoid being grouped with all of the top-listed sides in Pot 1, as no two teams from the same pot can end up in the same group.However, Tuchel faces being placed in the same qualifying group as some of England’s closest rivals.Wales will be in Pot 2 after topping their Nations League group to earn promotion to League A.And England could also be grouped with one of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland in Pot 3.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSThe Three Lions will be among those drawn into 12 groups of four or five teams on December 13.As group winners – and having avoided Nations League play-offs – they are likely to be in a five-team group that starts in March.Lee Carsley hailed for ‘best football England have ever played’ as fans say ‘can we rip up Tuchel’s contract-‘England face a 25 per cent chance of being in a four-team group, which means they are more likely to be placed in a five-team group.The latter is the worse of the two scenarios for Tuchel because it means starting qualifying in March.The German wouldn’t be able to ease into the job with a couple of friendlies during that March international break as his first two games would count towards qualifying for the World Cup.Carsley successfully led them back into the Nations League’s top tier with two convincing victories, over Greece and Ireland, in his final games in charge.By finishing top of Group B2, England are extremely likely to have a World Cup play-off spot banked, with the same situation facing Group B4 winners Wales.Following England’s 5-0 win over Ireland, Tuchel has avoided a Nations League promotion play-off as his first assignment.This means he will embark on a fresh Qualifying campaign for the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States in 2026.What are the World Cup European Qualifying pots?Pot 1SpainGermanyPortugalFranceItalyNetherlandsDenmarkCroatiaEnglandBelgiumSwitzerlandAustriaPot 2UkraineSwedenTurkeyWalesHungarySerbiaPolandGreeceRomaniaSlovakiaCzech RepublicNorwayPot 3ScotlandSloveniaRepublic of IrelandAlbaniaNorth MacedoniaGeorgiaFinlandIcelandNorthern IrelandMontenegroBosnia and HerzegovinaIsraelPot 4BulgariaLuxembourgKosovoBelarusArmeniaKazakhstanAzerbaijanEstoniaCyprusFaroe IslandsLatviaLithuaniaPot 5MoldovaMaltaAndorraGibraltarLiechtensteinSan MarinoBest-case scenario for England’s qualifying group of fiveAs per the current world rankings and pot positions, England could face Pot 2 side Serbia in their qualifying group when it’s drawn in 23 days time.Another best-case scenario grouping would come against Pot 3 outfit Iceland.But that hasn’t been an entirely easy fixture in English football as Gareth Southgate’s side found out when they lost 1-0 to Iceland in their final warm-up game before Euro 2024 in June.England were also memorably, and embarrassingly, dumped out of Euro 2016 in a 2-1 defeat to Iceland in the Round of 16.The Three Lions will be hoping they were freak results, as they did beat their bogeyteam from the volcanic island in their two games in-between.Meanwhile, another best-case match-up would be against the Faroe Islands, who are in Pot 4 and have never qualified for the World Cup.England suffered their worst humiliation when they lost to Iceland in 2016Worst-case scenario for England’s qualifying group of fiveOut of all the teams in Pot 2, England will want to avoid being grouped with regional rivals Wales.While England beat Wales in their World Cup group in Qatar, Tuchel will want to avoid any embarrassing defeats to the Welsh, who under the new leadership of Craig Bellamy, will be hell-bent on causing an upsetBut the difficulties in Pot 2 doesn’t stop there. England will also face difficult fixtures against Erling Haaland’s Norway and Sweden.The worst case scenario from Pot 3 would be Georgia, who shocked everybody with strong performances at Euro 2024.The Georgian’s boast Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia among their ranks, with England facing a 2,000 mile trip to the edge of Europe.Wales are in Pot 2 after topping their Nations League group to earn promotion to League AThe worst-case scenario from Pot 4 would be a long journey to the border of West Asia against Azerbaijan, while Moldova are the best ranked Pot 5 side.Being in a five team group could mean games in March and June.This could cause added headaches for Tuchel as several high profile stars are set to play in the Fifa Club World Cup that starts on June 15.England stars who play for Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Bayern Munich will be expected to play for their club teams.Clubs wouldn’t be able to block players from playing for England, that’s against the rules, but players could drop out themselves.Just last week, nine England stars withdrew from Carsley’s final camp citing fitness issues.How do the 2026 World Cup European Qualifiers work?A total of 16 Uefa nations will compete at the tournament – an increase of three from the previous edition in 2022.The European Qualifiers are scheduled to begin in March 2025 and end with the play-offs precisely a year later.Teams will play each other home and away. Nations drawn in groups of five will start Qualifying in March and sides drawn in groups of four start their campaigns in September. All groups conclude in November 2025.READ MORE SUN STORIESThe 12 group winners qualify directly, with the four remaining berths determined by play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up.Due to the Nations League play-offs in March, it means only four groups will be complete as of December 13.Forgotten England stars could benefit from Tuchel appointmentWITH Thomas Tuchel announced as the next England manager, a few forgotten stars might be hopeful of a return to the international set up.The former Chelsea and Bayern Munich manager usually uses a 3-4-3 formation.That could provide an opening for Mason Mount, who’s not been involved in the England set-up since the World Cup in 2022.The now Manchester United star enjoyed his most successful spell under Tuchel while the pair were at Stamford Bridge.Tuchel could also offer lifelines to other previously capped players such as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Eric Dier.RLC has excelled since his move to AC Milan and with England struggling to find a partner for Rice, he could be the surprise answer.Meanwhile, Dier played for Tuchel at Bayern Munich as part of a back-three last season.The defender did enough to convince the club to make his loan move permanent after he had fallen out of favour at Tottenham.Click here to see the full England XI who could play under Tuchel. 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      Inside abandoned stadium left overgrown and vandalised years after hosting Olympics, Six Nations and TWO euro giants

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      A SPORTS STADIUM that once hosted an Olympic Games, several Six Nations matches and two Serie A giants has been left completely abandoned.The Stadio Flaminio in Rome was once the home of Italy’s national rugby union team, but it has also been used for football.The Stadio Flamino is now in a state of disrepairCredit: RexThe stands of the stadium are crumblingCredit: RexThe stadium has been abandoned and the pitch has become overgrownCredit: RexBuilt on the site of the demolished Stadio Nazionale PNF – which hosted the 1934 World Cup final – it opened in 1959 ahead of the 1960 Olympic Games.It became a hugely popular venue during the 1980s when some of the world’s biggest music artists performed there.Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Pink Floyd and U2 took to the stage in the late 80s in front of 45,000 to 65,000 fans.Following the music season, Lazio and Roma temporarily moved there while the Stadio Olimpico was being refurbished.Read More on FootballLower league side Atletico Roma later called it home.Between 2010 and 2011 the Stadio Flaminio hosted Italy’s Six Nations matches.It was due to be redeveloped before the 2012 Six Nations with a 42,000 capacity planned.However, the proposed renovations fell through and the Italian Rugby Federation moved to a new home.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn the years that followed, Stadio Flaminio became neglected.It is now in a state of disrepair with an overgrown pitch and crumbling stands.However, there is hope that given the adequate funding it can become a fully-functioning, multi-purpose venue once again.Every Premier League stadium ranked by the number of pubs nearby with one boasting over 130 local boozersThe stadium previously hosted an Olympic games and Six Nations matchesCredit: RexMusic artists such as Michael Jackson and Bruce Springsteen have also performed thereCredit: RexThe pitch has become severely overgrownCredit: Rex More

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      France 32 Scotland 21: Grand Slam dreams over as Scots go down fighting in Paris Six Nations classic

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      IT took 23 years for Scotland to emerge as Six Nations contenders.It took just 20 minutes for all our hopes and dreams to unravel in Paris.
      Huw Jones scored two tries but it wasn’t enough to earn Scotland the winCredit: Getty
      Sione Tuipulotu and Stuart Hogg try to get Scotland movingCredit: Getty
      Despite an heroic second half showing, the damage was done thanks to a truly disastrous start.
      Gregor Townsend’s side were already a try down when Grant Gilchrist was shown a straight red card.
      France – also reduced to 14 men in a crazy opening ten minutes – added two more scores before Scotland found their feet.
      They then threw absolutely everything at the French in a bid to keep their Grand Slam hopes alive.

      But they’d left themselves with just too much to do.
      By the end of an enthralling encounter they were dead on their feet, unable to stop Gael Fickou from running in France’s fourth try right on full-time.
      It was agony for the Scots who now have two weeks to prepare for their Triple Crown showdown with Ireland.
      The title would be up for grabs if Scotland were to get a result at BT Murrayfield.
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      But they must quickly lick their wounds and regroup after this gut-wrenching defeat.
      Two years ago, Scotland came to Paris and conquered.
      On that occasion, Covid ensured the Stade de France was eerily empty.
      This afternoon it was a cauldron of colour and noise.
      The home side were desperate to bounce back from defeat in Dublin, while the visitors were aiming to keep their hopes of a first ever Six Nations title alive,
      After back-to-back wins against England and Wales, Townsend’s side arrived in the French capital firmly in the Championship mix.
      Yet this always promised to be a true examination of their title credentials.
      Could they handle the hype? Could they shoulder the responsibility? Could they keep the dream alive?
      In 2021, Duhan van der Merwe won it at the death for the Scots.
      It secured a first win in Paris since 1999 – now they were hunting more history.
      What they found in the first half was heartache.
      In a truly astonishing opening to this test match, Townsend’s side were a man AND 19 points down inside 20 minutes.
      They also butchered three try-scoring opportunities of their own.
      Everything that could go wrong, had gone wrong.
      Richie Gray was penalised on four minutes for going off his feet.
      Thibaud Flament gathered the line-out for France before their forwards smashed up through a series of phases.
      Romain Ntamack the man in space to score in the corner – Thomas Ramos adding the conversion.
      Things immediately went from bad to worse for Scotland with Gilchrist shown a straight red card with just six minutes gone.
      It was a shoulder straight to the head of Anthony Jelonch and in truth the giant Scotland star could have no complaints.
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      France drove back downfield with the Scots gifting possession deep inside their own ‘22 – Ethan Dumortier this time crashing over to score.
      Jonny Gray replaced Hamish Watson as Townsend tried to bulk up his back row.
      And almost immediately the Scots were thrown a lifeline with France were also reduced to 14 men.
      Mohamed Haouas – the man sent off for punching Jamie Ritchie three years ago – dived straight through the defensive line, colliding with Ben White’s head.
      It was a moment of madness and he too could have had no complaints.
      But with 19 minutes gone the home side stretched their advantage.
      Ramos intercepted Finn Russell’s telegraphed pass to run the length of the Stade de France to score.
      Scotland could only curse their rotten luck. Zander Fagerson dropped the ball on the line just before Duhan van der Merwe was bundled into touch with the try-line in sight.
      Yet still they kept coming and with 25 minutes gone Scotland did get their first try of the match.
      Jamie Ritchie had gathered the line-out and when the ball was fed back to Russell he threw a lovely flat pass for Huw Jones to run onto and score.
      Russell himself added the extras.
      France, however, would have the final say in a crazy first half – Ramos slotting a penalty in front of the posts after Matt Fagerson was penalised.
      Scotland had to get on the scoreboard first after the break and with eight minutes of the second half gone, Jones barrelled over for his second try.
      Sione Tuipulotu slipped a neat pass out the back door for Jones to score.
      Russell added the extras and suddenly Scotland had hope.
      France tried to close that door. Dumortier should have got his second try of the match but after being held up on the line, Gray was again penalised at the ruck.
      Ramos stretched France’s lead to 11 points with 20 minutes to go.
      Scotland, however, just kept coming. This side never knows when it’s beaten and with 12 minutes left, Russell rumbled over for our third try of a titanic tussle.
      Adding the conversion, it was a four point game with a little over ten minutes left.
      With the Scots spent, Fickou put the game beyond us with France’s fourth try.
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      With the clock red, Ramos kicked the conversion.
      Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page More