Listed below are the dates and results for the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone (UEFA). For an overview of the qualification rounds, see the article 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification. UEFA was allocated thirteen qualifying berths for the 1986 FIFA World Cup, and one place in a play-off, however Italy were the defending champions and qualified automatically, leaving 12.5 spots open for competition between 32 teams. Europe's automatic qualifying berths were taken by Poland, West Germany, Portugal, England, Northern Ireland, France, Bulgaria, Hungary, Denmark, Soviet Union and Spain. Belgium and Scotland qualified through the UEFA play-off and UEFA–OFC intercontinental play-off respectively.

Format

The 32 teams were divided into 7 groups. The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The number of teams and spots for each group were as follows:

Group play

The draw for the qualifying groups took place in Zürich, Switzerland on 7 December 1983. During the draw teams were drawn from the 5 pots into the 7 groups. The seedings below were announced ten days before the draw.

Summary

{{legend|#ccffcc|Group winners and the runners-up from the five-team groups qualified directly for the 1986 FIFA World Cup}} {{legend|#BBF3FF|Runners-up advanced to the play-offs}} {{legend|#ffffcc|Runner-up advanced to the intercontinental play-off}} {{legend|#ffcccc|Other teams were eliminated}}

Group 1

Group 2

Group 3

Group 4

Group 5

Group 6

Group 7

UEFA play-off

2–2 on aggregate; Belgium won on away goals.

Inter-confederation play-offs

Goalscorers