England Blocked From Drawing Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland at World Cup

England are blocked from facing Scotland, Wales and the Northern Ireland at the World Cup after the list of qualified nations improved to 42.

England qualified with a perfect run under Thomas Tuchel, making history by winning every game and failing to concede a single goal in a stunning campaign.

They are among the favourites for next summer's tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada for an increased 48-team showpiece.

Scotland followed suit on Tuesday, topping their UEFA qualifying group with a late 4-2 win over Denmark at Hamden Park.

There are just six spots remaining for the tournament, with four coming in the UEFA play-offs and the last two decided by the Inter-continental play-offs which include Bolivia, DR Congo, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.

The World Cup takes place next summer in North America. Image: Getty

Two members of the United Kingdom could join England at the World Cup, with Wales and the Northern Ireland qualifying for the play-offs alongside the likes of the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Romania, Sweden and North Macedonia.

Wales, who trounced North Macedonia 7-1 on Tuesday, finished second in their group to reach the play-offs, while Northern Ireland secured their spot due to their Nations League performance.

World Cup group rules explained

The 16 UEFA teams have been split into four brackets which will include two semi finals and a final, with Wales in pot two and taking on a team from pot four and Northern Ireland in pot four and braced for a showdown with a side from pot one.

That draw takes place on Thursday 20 November, setting up play-off fixtures on March 26 and March 31.

The main draw will held in Washington, D.C on 5 December but England cannot be in the same group as both Wales and Northern Ireland.

Wales thrashed North Macedonia 7-1 and have made the play-offs. Image: Getty

That's because the rules state that no more than two UEFA teams can be in the same group, while for other confederations they cannot be in the same group at all.

England and Wales could be in the same group as they were in Qatar in 2022, while the Three Lions or Scotland could also face Northern Ireland or another fellow UEFA representative but the limit is set at two per group.

There is of course no way for all four home nations to be in the same group.

For the group stage draw, there will be four pots of 12 teams. England are in pot one alongside the three host nations and the other eight top countries in FIFA's world rankings.

Mexico, Canada and the US have already been placed in groups A, B and C respectively.