Malta was drawn with Belgium, Sweden and Armenia in Group E of the Preliminary Round which will be played between the 29th January and 3rd February in Sweden. The top two teams in the group proceed to the Main Round.
The group winners would join Serbia, France and the runners-up of Group F in Group 6 while the runners-up would join Russia, Croatia and the winners of Group F in Group 7.
Germany, Kosovo and Scotland are taking part in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time while Northern Ireland will be making their debut in the international scene.
Preliminary round draw (29 January–3 February 2019)
Group A: Latvia*, England, Cyprus, Gibraltar
Group B: Belarus*, Norway, Kosovo, Andorra
Group C: FYR Macedonia*, Albania, Greece, San Marino
Group D: Georgia*, Denmark, Germany, Israel
Group E: Belgium, Sweden*, Armenia, Malta
Group F: Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Turkey, Switzerland, Scotland
Group G: Netherlands, Montenegro, Bulgaria*, Estonia
Group H: Finland, Moldova*, Wales, Northern Ireland
*hosts
Main round draw (22–27 October 2019)
Group 1: Spain, Poland*, Preliminary round Group D winners, Preliminary round Group H runners-up
Group 2: Ukraine*, Slovenia, Preliminary round Group C winners, Preliminary round Group B runners-up
Group 3: Azerbaijan*, Slovakia, Preliminary round Group H winners, Preliminary round Group G runners-up
Group 4: Italy*, Hungary, Preliminary round Group B winners, Preliminary round Group A runners-up
Group 5: Kazakhstan, Romania*, Preliminary round Group G winners, Preliminary round Group C runners-up
Group 6: Serbia, France*, Preliminary round Group E winners, Preliminary round Group F runners-up
Group 7: Russia, Croatia*, Preliminary round Group F winners, Preliminary round Group E runners-up
Group 8: Portugal*, Czech Republic, Preliminary round Group A winners, Preliminary round Group D runners-up
*hosts
The top two teams in each group will progress to the elite round.