The 2026 World Cup came close to matching a scenario that has only happened once before. After England booked their place with a flawless campaign and Scotland qualified for their first World Cup in 28 years, Wales and Northern Ireland went into the play-offs. However a home nations clean sweep at the finals is not going to happen again this year, because Wales and Northern Ireland nations have been drawn in the same European qualifying pathway. Northern Ireland have been drawn away to Italy in their semi-final, while Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina for a place in the Group A final. So, when was the last time all four home nations qualified for the same men's World Cup?

Source: BBC March 26, 2026 16:57 UTC