The Huuhkajat, or Eagle Owls, will face Poland, Lithuania, Malta and the loser of a playoff between Spain and the Netherlands.
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Finland’s team pictured before a recent game against Greece. Image: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures
Finland’s men’s national football team have been drawn in Group G of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, alongside Poland, Lithuania, Malta and the loser of a playoff between Spain and the Netherlands.
The Huuhkajat, or Eagle Owls, were seeded in pot 3 for the draw, which took place on Friday at the headquarters of European football’s governing body UEFA in the Swiss city of Zurich.
Only the group winner will qualify automatically for the finals, while the team in second place enters a playoff. A total of 16 European teams will play in the 2026 World Cup finals, which are due to be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.
Yle’s football pundit, Antti Pohja, noted that Poland should be considered Finland’s direct competitor, as Spain or the Netherlands are likely to claim the group’s top spot.
“This is a group from which – if Finland gets its game right – the chances of progressing are realistic,” Pohja said.
The Finnish team does not currently have a head coach, following the decision to sack Markku Kanerva at the end of last month. The Finnish FA said at the time that Kanerva’s successor will be announced by January.
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Publish date : 2024-12-12 16:00:00
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