"The 1958 World Cup in Sweden was the last and in fact only time all home nations have played at the same World Cup. Qualifying was a much more simple process back then, with nine automatic qualification spots up for grabs for the 27 European nations competing."
"Wales qualified in unusual fashion after finishing second in qualifying but then being selected at random to compete in a play-off against Israel. Wales advanced with a 4-0 aggregate victory over two legs to book their place at their first World Cup."
"England, who were in a group with the Soviet Union, Austria and eventual winners Brazil, failed to make it to the knockout stage, while Scotland fared little better. The Tartan Army were also eliminated at the first hurdle following defeats to France and Paraguay, and a draw against Yugoslavia."
"Both made it to the quarter-finals, with Northern Ireland eventually knocked out by France and Wales eliminated by a B."
The 2026 World Cup qualification saw England and Scotland qualify, while Wales and Northern Ireland entered playoffs. They were drawn in the same pathway, meaning they could face each other. Northern Ireland plays Italy away, and Wales hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina. The last time all home nations qualified for a World Cup was in 1958, when Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England topped their groups, and Wales qualified through a playoff against Israel. England and Scotland did not advance past the group stage, while Wales and Northern Ireland reached the quarter-finals.
Read at www.bbc.com
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