The 2026 World Cup nearly matched a feat that has occurred only once in history. After England secured their spot with an unbeaten qualifying campaign and Scotland booked their place for the first time in 28 years, Wales and Northern Ireland entered the play-offs. However, a clean sweep of all four home nations at the finals will not happen this year, as the two nations were drawn into the same European qualifying pathway. Even if both win their semi-finals, they will face each other for the single berth at the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Northern Ireland were drawn away to Italy in their semi-final, while Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina for a spot in the Group A final.
So, when was the last time all four home nations played at the same men’s World Cup?
The 1958 World Cup in Sweden was the only time all home nations appeared together. Qualifying was simpler then, with nine automatic places available for 27 European teams. Scotland, Northern Ireland, and England all topped their groups, while Wales advanced in an unusual way: after finishing second in their group, they were randomly selected for a play-off against Israel, winning 4-0 on aggregate to book their first World Cup appearance.
The tournament did not go well for England and Scotland. England, grouped with the Soviet Union, Austria, and eventual winners Brazil, failed to reach the knockout stage. Scotland also exited early, losing to France and Paraguay and drawing with Yugoslavia. However, Wales and Northern Ireland fared better, both reaching the quarter-finals. Northern Ireland lost to France, and Wales were eliminated by a Brazil squad featuring a 17-year-old Pelé. Brazil beat hosts Sweden 5-2 in the final, with Pelé scoring twice to announce his arrival. France’s Just Fontaine scored 13 goals in the competition, a record that still stands.
Scotland, England, Northern Ireland, and Wales have never all appeared at the same Women’s World Cup.
**How many World Cups have each played in?** England have appeared in 19 World Cups, winning the trophy in 1966. Scotland have qualified for 10 finals (but only participated in nine after declining an invitation in 1950 despite finishing second in the British Home Championship). The Scots have never progressed beyond the group stage, winning only four of their 23 matches. Wales reached the quarter-finals in 1958 but had to wait until 2022 in Qatar for their second appearance, finishing bottom of their group. Northern Ireland have qualified for three finals (1958, 1982, 1986), famously beating hosts Spain 1-0 in 1982 to reach the knockout stage but failing to advance four years later.