FIFA World Cup qualification

The FIFA World Cup qualification is a set of competitive matches that a national association football team plays in order to qualify for one of the available berths at the final tournament of the men's FIFA World Cup.

FIFA World Cup qualification
Founded1933 (1933)
RegionInternational (FIFA)
Number of teams211 (currently eligible)
215 (overall)
WebsiteOfficial website
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Qualifying tournaments are held within the six FIFA continental zones, each organized by their respective confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). For each World Cup, FIFA decides the number of places in the finals allocated to each of the zones, based on the numbers and relative strengths of the confederations' teams.

As a courtesy, the host receives an automatic berth selection, as has happened with the immediate past tournament winner during much of the competition's history. All other finalists are determined on a standalone qualifying round achievement without regard to previous achievements.

World cup history

The berths for the inaugural 1930 tournament were filled by invitation only. The 1934 one was the first one to have an actual qualifying phase. The first ever World Cup qualifying match was played on 11 June 1933, when Sweden defeated Estonia 6–2 in Stockholm, and the first goal was scored 7 minutes into the game, with some sources[1] attributing it to Swedish captain Knut Kroon while others credit it as an own goal by the Estonian goalkeeper Evald Tipner.

The number of teams entering qualification stages has increased steadily, and in response the final tournament has also been expanded (having 16 teams until 1978, then 24 between 1982 and 1994, then 32 between 1998 and 2022, and finally 48 from 2026 onwards). While the format of the qualifying tournaments has evolved, teams have always been grouped into zones which have remained relatively unchanged and roughly correspond to the continents. The teams from each zone compete for a fixed number of berths for the zone, with a limited number of places being awarded to winners of intercontinental play-offs.

Qualification berths by continent

The table below lists the numbers of berths allocated by FIFA for each continent in each tournament. It also shows the total number of teams that entered and played in every qualification cycle.

In the table, "H" denotes an automatic spot for the host, "C" denotes an automatic spot for the defending champion, and "inv" indicates the number of teams that were invited in 1930. Places in intercontinental play-offs are represented as fractions, as follows:

  • 0.5 – a place in a direct play-off
  • 0.25 – a place in a semi-final play-off (where the winner would then face yet another team for a spot in the finals)
  • 13 – a place in a play-off tournament where two out of six teams would qualify
Places allocated for continents

1930
[lower-alpha 1]

1934

1938

1950

1954

1958

1962

1966

1970

1974

1978

1982

1986

1990

1994
Europe 4 inv1211
+H+C
7
+C
11
+H
9[lower-alpha 2]
+H+C
8+
2×0.5
9
+H
8
+C
8.5
+H
8.5
+C
13
+H
12.5
+C
13
+H
12
+C
Africa 10[lower-alpha 3]1[lower-alpha 2]0.511112223
Asia 1110.51112222
Oceania [lower-alpha 4]0[lower-alpha 3]0[lower-alpha 3]0[lower-alpha 3]0[lower-alpha 3]0.50.50.25
North and Central America
and Caribbean
2 inv112110.511
+H
1121
+H
21.25
+H
South America H+
6 inv
214
+H
1
+C
33.5
+H+C
3
+C
32.5
+C
2.5
+H
3
+C
42.5
+C
3.5
Total berths 1316161624
Teams in the finals 15[lower-alpha 5]13[lower-alpha 6]
Entered qualification[lower-alpha 7] 323432375154696997105107119111145
Played in qualification[lower-alpha 8] 27211933464951689095103110103128
Qualified via qualification 141091314141414141422222222
Qualified without playing 1326732222222222

1998


2002

2006

2010

2014

2018

2022



2026



2030

2034
Europe 14
+H
13.5
+C
13
+H
131313
+H
13162H
Africa 5555
+H
5559+13H
Asia 3.52.5
+2H
4.54.54.54.54.5
+H
8+13H
Oceania 0.50.50.50.50.50.50.51+13
North and Central America
and Caribbean
333.53.53.53.53.53+
13
+3H
South America 4
+C
4.54.54.54.5
+H
4.54.56+133H
Total berths 3248
Teams in the finals
Entered qualification[lower-alpha 7] 172196197205[lower-alpha 9]203210211[lower-alpha 10]
Played in qualification[lower-alpha 8] 168193194199[lower-alpha 9]202208204[lower-alpha 10]
Qualified via qualification 30293131313131454247
Qualified without playing 2311111361
Notes
  1. Berths were given by invitation only.
  2. Actually the berths were taken by 10 European teams and no African or Asian ones. After Israel won the African/Asian zone without playing due to withdrawals of other teams, a special play-off was arranged between them and a European team, Wales, and was won by the latter.
  3. None entered.
  4. No teams from the region were members of FIFA before 1950.
  5. Austria withdrew after having qualified.
  6. India, Scotland and Turkey withdrew after having qualified. France initially accepted to participate as a replacement but then withdrew as well.
  7. Includes all teams that entered qualification, even if they withdrew or were excluded afterwards, or qualified by walkover. Does not include pre-determined automatic qualifiers.
  8. Only includes teams that played at least one qualifying match that was not annulled.
  9. Including host South Africa and non-FIFA member Tuvalu, which participated because other tournaments also served as World Cup qualifiers.
  10. Including host Qatar, which participated because another tournament also served as World Cup qualifiers.

First appearance in qualification by team

Only teams that played at least one match are considered for first appearance. Teams that withdrew before the qualification, or that qualified to the World Cup by walkover due to other teams' withdrawals, are not considered.

Year Debuting teams Successor and renamed teams
Europe South America North, Central America and Caribbean Asia Africa Oceania T CT

1934
 Austria
 Belgium[lower-alpha 1]
 Bulgaria
 Czechoslovakia[upper-alpha 1]
 Estonia
 France[lower-alpha 1]
 Germany[upper-alpha 2]
 Greece
 Hungary
 Irish Free State[upper-alpha 3]
 Italy[N 1]
 Lithuania
 Luxembourg
 Netherlands
 Poland
 Portugal
 Romania[lower-alpha 1]
 Spain
 Sweden
  Switzerland
 Yugoslavia[lower-alpha 1][upper-alpha 4]
none  Cuba
 Haiti
 Mexico[lower-alpha 1]
 United States[lower-alpha 1]
 Palestine, British Mandate[upper-alpha 5]  Egypt[upper-alpha 6] none 27 27

1938
 Finland
 Latvia
 Norway
none none none none none 3 30

1950
 England
 Ireland[upper-alpha 7]
 Scotland
 Turkey[lower-alpha 2]
 Wales
none none  Syria none none 6 36  Ireland[upper-alpha 3]
 Israel[upper-alpha 5]

1954
 Saar  Brazil[lower-alpha 3]
 Chile[lower-alpha 4]
 Paraguay[lower-alpha 5]
none  Japan[lower-alpha 6]
 South Korea
none none 6 42  Northern Ireland[upper-alpha 7]
 Republic of Ireland[upper-alpha 3]
 West Germany[upper-alpha 2]

1958
 Denmark
 East Germany
 Iceland
 Soviet Union[upper-alpha 8]
 Argentina[lower-alpha 7]
 Bolivia[lower-alpha 5]
 Colombia[lower-alpha 6]
 Peru[lower-alpha 8]
 Uruguay[lower-alpha 9]
 Canada
 Costa Rica[lower-alpha 6]
 Guatemala
 Territory of Curaçao[upper-alpha 9]
 China
 Indonesia[lower-alpha 10]
 Sudan none 16 58

1962
 Cyprus[lower-alpha 11]  Ecuador[lower-alpha 12]  Dutch Guiana[lower-alpha 6][upper-alpha 10]
 Honduras
none  Ethiopia
 Ghana
 Morocco
 Nigeria
 Tunisia
none 9 67  Netherlands Antilles[upper-alpha 9]

1966
 Albania  Venezuela[lower-alpha 11]  Jamaica
 Trinidad and Tobago
 North Korea none  Australia 6 73

1970
none none  Bermuda
 El Salvador[lower-alpha 6]
none  Algeria[lower-alpha 13]
 Cameroon[lower-alpha 13]
 Libya[lower-alpha 13]
 Rhodesia[upper-alpha 11]
 Senegal[lower-alpha 13]
 Zambia
 New Zealand 9 82

1974
 Malta none  Antigua and Barbuda
 Puerto Rico
 Hong Kong
 Iran
 Iraq
 Kuwait
 Malaysia
 South Vietnam[upper-alpha 12]
 Thailand
 Congo
 Dahomey[upper-alpha 13]
 Guinea[lower-alpha 13]
 Ivory Coast
 Kenya
 Lesotho
 Mauritius
 Sierra Leone
 Tanzania
 Togo
 Zaire[upper-alpha 14]
none 21 103

1978
none none  Barbados
 Dominican Republic
 Guyana
 Panama
 Bahrain
 Qatar
 Republic of China[lower-alpha 14][upper-alpha 15]
 Saudi Arabia
 Singapore
 Malawi
 Mauritania
 Niger
 Uganda
 Upper Volta[upper-alpha 16]
none 14 117  Suriname[upper-alpha 10]

1982
none none  Grenada  Macau  Gambia
 Liberia[lower-alpha 13]
 Madagascar[lower-alpha 15]
 Mozambique
 Somalia
 Fiji 8 125  Chinese Taipei[upper-alpha 15]
 Zimbabwe[upper-alpha 11]

1986
none none none  Bangladesh
 Brunei
 Jordan
 India[lower-alpha 16]
   Nepal
 North Yemen[upper-alpha 17]
 South Yemen
 United Arab Emirates[lower-alpha 17]
 Angola none 9 134  Benin[upper-alpha 13]

1990
none none none  Oman[lower-alpha 18]
 Pakistan
 Gabon[lower-alpha 19] none 3 137  Burkina Faso[upper-alpha 16]

1994
 Faroe Islands
 San Marino
none  Nicaragua
 Saint Lucia
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
 Lebanon[lower-alpha 20]
 Sri Lanka[lower-alpha 21]
 Botswana
 Burundi
 Namibia
 South Africa
 Swaziland[upper-alpha 18]
 Solomon Islands
 Tahiti
 Vanuatu
15 152  Germany[upper-alpha 2]
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks[upper-alpha 1]
 Russia[upper-alpha 8]
 Vietnam[upper-alpha 12]
 Yemen[upper-alpha 17]

1998
 Armenia
 Azerbaijan
 Belarus
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Georgia
 Liechtenstein[lower-alpha 22]
 Macedonia[upper-alpha 19]
 Moldova
 Slovakia
 Slovenia
 Ukraine
none  Aruba
 Belize
 Cayman Islands
 Dominica
 Saint Kitts and Nevis
 Cambodia
 Kazakhstan
 Kyrgyzstan
 Maldives[lower-alpha 23]
 Philippines[lower-alpha 24]
 Tajikistan
 Turkmenistan
 Uzbekistan
 Guinea-Bissau
 Rwanda[lower-alpha 23]
 Cook Islands
 Papua New Guinea
 Tonga
 Western Samoa[lower-alpha 22][upper-alpha 20]
31 183  Czech Republic[upper-alpha 1]
 DR Congo[upper-alpha 14]
 FR Yugoslavia[upper-alpha 4]

2002
 Andorra none  Anguilla
 Bahamas[lower-alpha 25]
 British Virgin Islands
 Montserrat
 Turks and Caicos Islands
 U.S. Virgin Islands
 Guam
 Laos
 Mongolia
 Palestine
 Cape Verde
 Central African Republic[lower-alpha 26]
 Chad
 Djibouti
 Equatorial Guinea
 Eritrea
 Mali[lower-alpha 27]
 São Tomé and Príncipe[lower-alpha 22]
 Seychelles
 American Samoa 21 204  Samoa[upper-alpha 20]

2006
none none none  Afghanistan none  New Caledonia 2 206  Serbia and Montenegro[upper-alpha 4]

2010
 Montenegro none none  Myanmar[lower-alpha 28]
 East Timor
 Comoros  Tuvalu[N 2] 5 211  Serbia[upper-alpha 4]

2014
none none none none none none 0 211  Curaçao[upper-alpha 9]

2018
 Gibraltar
 Kosovo
none none  Bhutan[lower-alpha 29]  South Sudan none 4 215

2022
none none none none none none 0 215  Eswatini[upper-alpha 18]
 North Macedonia[upper-alpha 19]

2026
none none none none none none 0 215
Teams' entries before their actual debuts in qualification
  1. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation.
  2. Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing.
  3. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1934 and 1938 finals. Qualified automatically for the 1950 World Cup as host.
  4. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.
  5. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.
  6. Withdrew from the 1938 qualification before playing.
  7. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1934 finals. Withdrew from the 1938 and 1950 qualifications before playing.
  8. Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934, 1950, and 1954 qualifications before playing.
  9. Participated in the 1930 World Cup as host. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals. Qualified automatically for the 1954 finals as defending champion.
  10. Qualified by walkover for the 1938 finals (entered as the  Dutch East Indies). Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.
  11. Withdrew from the 1958 qualification before playing.
  12. Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.
  13. Withdrew from the 1966 qualification before playing.
  14. Withdrew from the 1954 and 1958 qualifications before playing.
  15. Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing (entered as the  Malagasy Republic).
  16. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals, and subsequently withdrew from participation. Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing.
  17. Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing.
  18. Withdrew from the 1986 qualification before playing.
  19. Withdrew from the 1966 and 1974 qualifications before playing.
  20. Withdrew during the 1986 qualification and had all its matches of that campaign annulled.
  21. Withdrew from the 1974 and 1978 qualifications before playing (entered in 1974 as  Ceylon).
  22. Withdrew from the 1994 qualification before playing.
  23. Withdrew from the 1990 qualification before playing.
  24. Withdrew from the 1950 and 1974 qualifications before playing.
  25. Withdrew from the 1998 qualification before playing.
  26. Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing. Was disqualified from the 1982 qualification before playing.
  27. Withdrew from the 1966, 1994 and 1998 qualifications before playing.
  28. Withdrew from the 1950, 1994, and 2002 qualifications before playing (entered in 1950 as  Burma).
  29. Withdrew from the 2010 qualification before playing.
Successor and renamed teams
  1. The Czechoslovakia team was officially renamed as the Representation of Czechs and Slovaks during the 1994 qualification and was then succeeded by the Czech Republic from the 1998 qualification.
  2. Germany was succeeded from the 1954 qualification by West Germany, which in turn was succeeded by the reunified Germany from the 1994 qualification.
  3. The Irish Free State was succeeded in the 1950 qualification by Ireland, which became officially known as the Republic of Ireland from the 1954 qualification.
  4. Yugoslavia was succeeded from the 1998 qualification by FR Yugoslavia, which was renamed as Serbia and Montenegro for the 2006 qualification and was then succeeded by Serbia from the 2010 qualification.
  5. Mandatory Palestine was succeeded by Israel from the 1950 qualification.
  6. Egypt was later succeeded by the  United Arab Republic, a political union with Syria, which entered the 1962 qualification, but withdrew before playing. Then Egypt continued independently but retained the name "United Arab Republic", under which it entered the 1966 qualification and also withdrew before playing. It was renamed back as "Egypt" from the 1974 qualification.
  7. Ireland was succeeded by Northern Ireland from the 1954 qualification.
  8. The Soviet Union was succeeded by Russia from the 1994 qualification.
  9. The Territory of Curaçao was succeeded from the 1962 qualification by the Netherlands Antilles, which in turn was succeeded by Curaçao from the 2014 qualification.
  10. Dutch Guiana was succeeded by Suriname from the 1978 qualification.
  11. Rhodesia was succeeded by Zimbabwe from the 1982 qualification.
  12. South Vietnam was succeeded by Vietnam from the 1994 qualification.
  13. Dahomey was renamed as Benin from the 1986 qualification.
  14. Zaire was renamed as DR Congo during the 1998 qualification.
  15. The Republic of China became officially known as Chinese Taipei from the 1982 qualification.
  16. Upper Volta was renamed as Burkina Faso from the 1990 qualification.
  17. North Yemen was succeeded by Yemen from the 1994 qualification.
  18. Swaziland was renamed as Eswatini from the 2022 qualification.
  19. Macedonia was renamed as North Macedonia from the 2022 qualification.
  20. Western Samoa was renamed as Samoa from the 2002 qualification.
Other notes
  1. Italy had to qualify for the 1934 tournament despite being the host.
  2. Tuvalu, a non-FIFA member, formally could not enter the 2010 World Cup, but the team participated in the 2007 South Pacific Games which doubled as a stage of the qualification for that World Cup, and the team's results did count in determining advancement from that stage.

Overview of teams' participations

The below table shows how every team has participated in each World Cup qualification.

Key

  • golden background = successful qualifying campaign
  • grey background = did not take part in qualifying
  • bold red typeface = participated in the final tournament
Q Qualified
w Qualified, then withdrew from the finals (Austria in 1938, and Scotland and Turkey in 1950)
n Did not qualify
w Withdrew during qualifying
d Was disqualified during qualifying
H Qualified automatically as host but took part in qualifiers as they doubled as another tournament (South Africa in 2010 and Qatar in 2022)
\ Was not a FIFA member but took part in qualifiers as they doubled as another tournament (Tuvalu in 2010)
b Received bye to the finals
B Received bye to the finals, then withdrew (India in 1950)
H Qualified automatically as host
C Qualified automatically as reigning champion
i Was invited to the finals (all finalists in 1930 except Uruguay)
w Entered but withdrew before playing, or withdrew during qualifying and had all matches annulled
d Entered but was disqualified before playing, or was disqualified during qualifying and had all matches annulled
s Was suspended from entering, or had entry rejected
Did not enter despite being a FIFA member
Was not a FIFA member
Team 19
30
19
34
19
38
19
50
19
54
19
58
19
62
19
66
19
70
19
74
19
78
19
82
19
86
19
90
19
94
19
98
20
02
20
06
20
10
20
14
20
18
20
22
20
26
20
30
20
34
Current
confederation[upper-roman 1]
 Afghanistan nnnnnn AFC
 Albania nsnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Algeria wnnnQQnnnnnQQnn CAF
 American Samoa nnnnnw OFC
 Andorra nnnnnn UEFA
 Angola nnnnnQnnnn CAF
 Anguilla nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Antigua and Barbuda nnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Argentina ibwwQQQnQHCQCQQQQQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Armenia nnnnnnn UEFA
 Aruba nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Australia nnQnnnnnnnQQQQQ AFC[upper-roman 2]
 Austria QwwQQnnnQQnQnQnnnnnn UEFA
 Azerbaijan nnnnnnn UEFA
 Bahamas wnnnwnn CONCACAF
 Bahrain nnnwnnnnnnnn AFC
 Bangladesh nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Barbados nwnnnnnndn CONCACAF
 Belarus nnnnnnn UEFA
 Belgium iQQwQnnnQnnQQQQQQnnQQQ UEFA
 Belize snnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Benin (1978–)
 Dahomey (1970–1974)
nnnnnnnnn CAF
 Bermuda nnwnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Bhutan wnnn AFC
 Bolivia ibsnnnnnnnnnQnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Bosnia and Herzegovina nnnnQnn UEFA
 Botswana nnnnnnn CAF
 Brazil ibbHQQCCQCQQQQQCQQQHQQ CONMEBOL
 British Virgin Islands nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Brunei nnsnnn AFC
 Bulgaria wnnnQQQQnnQnQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Burkina Faso (1986–)
 Upper Volta (1970–1982)
nnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Burundi nwwnnnnn CAF
 Cambodia[lower-roman 1] nnnnnnn AFC
 Cameroon wnnnQnQQQQnQQnQ CAF
 Canada nwnnnnQnnnnnnnnQH CONCACAF
 Cape Verde nnnnnn CAF
 Cayman Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Central African Republic wdnwwnnn CAF
 Chad nnnnnn CAF
 Chile iwbnnHQnQnQnnsQnnQQnn CONMEBOL
 China nnnnnnQnnnnn AFC
 Chinese Taipei (1982–)
 Republic of China (1954–1978)
wwnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC[upper-roman 3]
 Colombia wnQnnnnnnQQQnnnQQn CONMEBOL[upper-roman 4]
 Comoros nnnn CAF
 Congo snnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Cook Islands nnnnnnw OFC
 Costa Rica wsnnnnnnnnQnnQQnQQQ CONCACAF
 Croatia QQQnQQQ UEFA
 Cuba nbnsnsnnnwnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Curaçao (2014–)
 Netherlands Antilles (1962–2010)
 Territory of Curaçao (1934–1958)
nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Cyprus wnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[upper-roman 5]
 Czech Republic (1998–)
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks (1994)
 Czechoslovakia (1930–1994)
QQQQQnQnnQnQnnnQnnnn UEFA
 Denmark nnnnnnQnnQQnQnQQ UEFA
 Djibouti nnnnn CAF
 Dominica nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Dominican Republic nnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 DR Congo (1998–)
 Zaire (1974–1998)[lower-roman 2]
sQwnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 East Germany nnnnQnnnn defunct[upper-roman 6]
 Ecuador wnnnnnnnnnnQQnQnQ CONMEBOL
 Egypt[lower-roman 3] QwnwwwnnnnQnnnnnnQn CAF[upper-roman 7]
 El Salvador wQnnQnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 England QQQQHCnnQQQnQQQQQQQ UEFA
 Equatorial Guinea nnnnnn CAF
 Eritrea nnwnnnw CAF
 Estonia nnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Eswatini (2022–)
 Swaziland (1982–2018)
nnnnnnnn CAF
 Ethiopia snwnnnnnnnndnnn CAF[upper-roman 8]
 Faroe Islands nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Fiji nnnnnnnnnn OFC
 Finland nwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 France iQHnQQnQnnQQQnnHCQQQQQ UEFA
 Gabon wwnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Gambia nnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Georgia nnnnnnn UEFA
 Germany (1994–)
 West Germany (1950–1990)
 Germany (1930–1938)
QQsQCQQQHCQQQCQQHQQQQ UEFA
 Ghana nwnnnwnnnnnQQQnQ CAF
 Gibraltar nn UEFA
 Greece wnnnnnnnnnnnQnnnQQnn UEFA
 Grenada nwnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guam nwwnnn AFC
 Guatemala nnsnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guinea wsnnnnnnndnnnnn CAF
 Guinea-Bissau nnnnnnn CAF
 Guyana nnnnnndnnnnn CONCACAF
 Haiti nnnQnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Honduras nnnnwQnnnnnnQQnn CONCACAF
 Hong Kong nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Hungary QQbQQQnnQQQnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Iceland snnnnnnnnnnnnQn UEFA
 India Bswnwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Indonesia[lower-roman 4] bwwwnnnnnnnnnnndn AFC
 Iran nQwdnnQnQnQQQ AFC
 Iraq nwnQnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Israel (1950–)
 Palestine, British Mandate (1930–1938)
nnnnnnnQnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[upper-roman 9]
 Italy QCCQnQQQQQQCHQQQQQQnn UEFA
 Ivory Coast nnnnnnnQQQnn CAF
 Jamaica nnwndnnQnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Japan wsnnnnnnnnnQHQQQQQ AFC
 Jordan nnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Kazakhstan nnnnnnn UEFA[upper-roman 10]
 Kenya nnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Kosovo nn UEFA
 Kuwait nnQnnnnnnnndn AFC
 Kyrgyzstan nnnnnnn AFC
 Laos nnnnnn AFC
 Latvia nnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lebanon wnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Lesotho nnwwnnnnnn CAF
 Liberia wnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Libya wnnwnwdnnnnnn CAF
 Liechtenstein wnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lithuania nnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Luxembourg nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Macau nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Madagascar[lower-roman 5] wnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Malawi nnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Malaysia[lower-roman 6] nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Maldives wnnnnnnnn AFC
 Mali wwwnnnnnn CAF
 Malta nnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Mauritania nwnnnnnn CAF
 Mauritius nnsnnnnwnn CAF
 Mexico inwQQQQQHnQnHdQQQQQQQQH CONCACAF
 Moldova nnnnnnn UEFA
 Mongolia nnnnnnn AFC
 Montenegro nnnn UEFA
 Montserrat nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Morocco nwQwnnQnQQnnnnQQH CAF
 Mozambique nsnnnnnnnn CAF
 Myanmar[lower-roman 7] wwwsnnnnn AFC
 Namibia nnnnnnnn CAF
   Nepal nnnnwnnnnn AFC
 Netherlands QQnnnnQQnnQQQnQQQnQ UEFA
 New Caledonia nnnnn OFC
 New Zealand nnnQnnnnnnQnnn OFC
 Nicaragua nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Niger nnwnwnnnnn CAF
 Nigeria nwnnnnnnQQQnQQQn CAF
 North Korea QdnwnnnnnQnnw AFC
 North Macedonia (2022–)
 Macedonia (1998–2018)
nnnnnnn UEFA
 Northern Ireland (1954–)
 Ireland (1950)
nnQnnnnnQQnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Norway QnnnnnnnnnnQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Oman wnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Pakistan nnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Palestine nnnnnn AFC
 Panama nnnnnnnnnnQn CONCACAF
 Papua New Guinea nnnnn OFC
 Paraguay ibnQnnnnnnQnnQQQQnnnH CONMEBOL
 Peru iwwwnnnQnQQnnnnnnnnQn CONMEBOL
 Philippines wswnnnnnn AFC
 Poland nQwnnnnQQQQnnnQQnnQQ UEFA
 Portugal nnnnnnQnnnnQnnnQQQQQQH UEFA
 Puerto Rico nnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Qatar nnnnnnnnnnnH AFC
 Republic of Ireland (1954–)
 Ireland (1950)
 Irish Free State (1930–1938)
nnnnnnnnnnnnQQnQnnnnn UEFA
 Romania iQbnnwnQnnnnQQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Russia (1994–)
 Soviet Union (1950–1990)
QQQQdnQQQQnQnnQHd UEFA
 Rwanda wnnnnnnn CAF
 Saar n defunct[upper-roman 6]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Saint Lucia nnnnnnnw CONCACAF
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Samoa (2002–)
 Western Samoa (1990–1998)
wnnnnnnw OFC
 San Marino nnnnnnnn UEFA
 São Tomé and Príncipe wnnwnnn CAF
 Saudi Arabia nnnnQQQQnnQQH AFC
 Scotland wQQnnnQQQQQnQnnnnnn UEFA
 Senegal wnnnnnnnQnnnQQ CAF
 Serbia (2010–)
 Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
 FR Yugoslavia (1994–2002)
 Yugoslavia (1930–1990)
innQQQQnnQnQnQdQnQQnQQ UEFA
 Seychelles nnnnnn CAF
 Sierra Leone nnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Singapore nnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Slovakia nnnQnnn UEFA
 Slovenia nQnQnnn UEFA
 Solomon Islands nnnnnnnn OFC
 Somalia nnnnnnn CAF
 South Africa sdsssnQQnHnnn CAF
 South Korea QsnwnnnnQQQQHQQQQQ AFC
 South Sudan nn CAF
 South Yemen nw defunct[upper-roman 11]
 Spain QsQnnQQnnQHQQQQQQQQQQH UEFA
 Sri Lanka[lower-roman 8] wwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Sudan wwwnnwnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Suriname (1978–)
 Dutch Guiana (1930–1974)
wnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Sweden QQQnHnnQQQnnQQnQQnnQn UEFA
  Switzerland QQQHnQQnnnnnnQnnQQQQQ UEFA
 Syria wnwnnnnnnnnnndnnn AFC[upper-roman 12]
 Tahiti nnnnnnnn OFC
 Tajikistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Tanzania nwnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Thailand nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 East Timor nnnnn AFC
 Togo nnnwwnnnQnnnn CAF
 Tonga nnnnnnw OFC
 Trinidad and Tobago nnnnnnnnnnQnnnn CONCACAF
 Tunisia nwnnQnnnnQQQnnQQ CAF
 Turkey wwQwnnnnnnnnnnQnnnnn UEFA[upper-roman 13]
 Turkmenistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Turks and Caicos Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Tuvalu \ OFC
 Uganda nwnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Ukraine nnQnnnn UEFA
 United Arab Emirates wnQnnnnnnnn AFC
 United States iQwQnnnnnnnnnQHQQQQQnQH CONCACAF
 U.S. Virgin Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Uruguay HbCnQQQQnnQQnnQnQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Uzbekistan nnnnnnn AFC
 Vanuatu nnnnnnnw OFC
 Venezuela wnnwnnnnnnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Vietnam (1978–)
 South Vietnam (1954–1974)
snwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Wales nnQnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Yemen (1994–)
 North Yemen (1982–1990)
nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Zambia nnnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Zimbabwe (1982–)
 Rhodesia (1970–1978)
nnnnnnnnnndn CAF[upper-roman 14]
Team 19
30
19
34
19
38
19
50
19
54
19
58
19
62
19
66
19
70
19
74
19
78
19
82
19
86
19
90
19
94
19
98
20
02
20
06
20
10
20
14
20
18
20
22
20
26
20
30
20
34
Current
confederation
Non-participating incarnations
  1. Known as the  Khmer Republic in 1974, and then as  Kampuchea until 1990.
  2. Known as  Congo-Kinshasa until 1970.
  3. Entered in 1962 as the  United Arab Republic representing a political union with Syria. After that continued independently but retained the name "United Arab Republic" until 1970.
  4. Entered as the  Dutch East Indies in 1938.
  5. Known as the  Malagasy Republic until 1974.
  6. Preceded by  Malaya until 1962.
  7. Known as  Burma until 1990.
  8. Known as  Ceylon until 1974.
Continental allocations
  1. Africa and Asia had a joint zone in 1934 and 1958. Africa, Asia and Oceania had a joint zone in 1966. Asia and Oceania had a joint zone in 1970–1982.
  2. Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–2006.
  3. Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.
  4. Entered the North and Central American zone in 1938.
  5. Entered the African/Asian zone in 1958.
  6. Participated in the European zone.
  7. Entered the European zone in 1938 and 1954.
  8. Entered the European zone in 1962.
  9. Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958, the Asian/Oceanian zone in 1970–1978, and the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.
  10. Entered the Asian zone in 1998–2002.
  11. Participated in the Asian zone.
  12. Entered the European zone in 1950 and 1966.
  13. Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958.
  14. Entered the Asian/Oceanian zone in 1970.

Overall team records

The below table compares the overall records of all teams that have participated in qualification. Teams are ordered by points using the three points for a win system, then by goal difference, and then by goals scored. Note that this order does not represent any official rankings, and qualification tournaments are not direct competitions among all teams.

The "Qualifying attempts" column counts qualifying campaigns where the team played at least one match that was not annulled. An attempt is treated as "successful" if the team gained the right to participate in the finals, even if it did not appear there eventually.

As per statistical convention in football, goals scored during extra time are counted towards matches' scorelines and outcomes, while goals scored during penalty shoot-outs are not. Annulled matches are not counted; for matches that were annulled and then replayed, only the replays are counted. For matches where the scorelines were awarded, the awarded scorelines, and not the original ones (if any), are counted.

Ecuador was deducted 3 points in the 2026 qualifying, which is reflected in the table.

Key
Team has qualified for the main tournament through a qualifying process
Team has qualified for the main tournament only by walkover (Cuba, and Indonesia as Dutch East Indies)
Team has qualified for the main tournament by walkover but has not participated there because it withdrew (India)
Team has qualified for the main tournament only automatically as host (Qatar)
Team has not qualified for the main tournament
Defunct team that qualified for the main tournament (East Germany)
Defunct team that never qualified for the main tournament (Saar and South Yemen)
Team is not a member of FIFA and is not eligible for the main tournament (Tuvalu)

Teams in bold are currently participating or are yet to start in the 2026 qualification. The table is updated to the matches played in June 2024.

No. Team Qualifying attempts Appearances
in the finals
Overall qualification record Points Confederation
Total Successful Pld W D L GF GA GD Total Avg
1  Mexico 1714181891214127453134+3194042.138CONCACAF
2  Australia 16661671014026429125+3043432.054AFC
3  South Korea 16101115799401831991+2283372.146AFC
4  Costa Rica 1866189954747316184+1323321.757CONCACAF
5  Iran 126615296371933293+2393252.138AFC
6  Argentina 151318159914226270137+1333151.981CONMEBOL
7  Japan 166714489272832991+2382942.042AFC
8  Netherlands 191111135892620329101+2282932.170UEFA
9  United States 19912168844044287191+962921.738CONCACAF
10  Uruguay 181114178814750253191+622901.629CONMEBOL
11  Saudi Arabia 1366142853324278106+1722882.028AFC
12  Spain 19151612587261229181+2102872.296UEFA
13  Brazil 14132213384341528882+2062862.150CONMEBOL
14  Portugal 2188149833531284146+1382841.906UEFA
15  England 17141612284271131470+2442792.287UEFA
16  Sweden 201112141862134280129+1512791.979UEFA
17  Serbia
 Serbia and Montenegro
 FR Yugoslavia
 Yugoslavia
201213136813322287123+1642762.029UEFA
18  Belgium 201314141832731302147+1552761.957UEFA
19  Czech Republic
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks
 Czechoslovakia
2099147793137280126+1542681.823UEFA
20  Germany
 West Germany
 Germany
1515201048318332874+2542672.567UEFA
21  Russia
 Soviet Union
16101112580242124681+1652642.112UEFA
22  Italy 17141811878301023472+1622642.237UEFA
23  Honduras 1633166714451271201+702571.548CONCACAF
24  Colombia 1866176655754206181+252521.432CONMEBOL
25  Paraguay 1968178703969214218−42491.399CONMEBOL
26  China 1311132752235278105+1732471.871AFC
27  El Salvador 1522162713457263188+752471.525CONCACAF
28  Romania 1857138722937238142+962451.775UEFA
29   Switzerland 201112140683735220150+702411.721UEFA
30  Scotland 1998136693037210146+642371.743UEFA
31  France 18121611970262323491+1432361.983UEFA
32  Chile 1769170673568239228+112361.388CONMEBOL
33  Denmark 1666132673035242144+982311.750UEFA
34  Tunisia 166611665312019886+1122261.948CAF
35  Poland 1999128672338260154+1062241.750UEFA
36  Canada 1523137623837215144+712241.635CONCACAF
37  Morocco 166612261392218584+1012221.820CAF
38  Nigeria 166611662351918989+1002211.905CAF
39  Austria 1987134642941232155+772211.649UEFA
40  Republic of Ireland
 Ireland
 Irish Free State
2133149584645210177+332201.477UEFA
41  Hungary 1989132632841235176+592171.644UEFA
42  Bulgaria 2077137622946215191+242151.569UEFA
43  Iraq 1311125603233238121+1172121.696AFC
44  Qatar 1301126622440217125+922101.667AFC
45  Ecuador 1744167574070201224−232081.246CONMEBOL
46  Trinidad and Tobago 1611143583055216187+292041.427CONCACAF
47  Egypt 163310560222318796+912021.924CAF
48  Cameroon 15889959241616774+932012.030CAF
49  Greece 2033136563347167179−122011.478UEFA
50  Uzbekistan 800108582129208108+1001951.806AFC
51  Guatemala 1700128543242217150+671941.516CONCACAF
52  Peru 1845174504381184241−571931.109CONMEBOL
53  New Zealand 1422102581826239101+1381921.882OFC
54  United Arab Emirates 1111122562442210129+811921.574AFC
55  Turkey 1832139532759204206−21861.338UEFA
56  Norway 1933136493354185186−11801.324UEFA
57  Kuwait 1411107541736185105+801791.673AFC
58  Northern Ireland
 Ireland
1933142453958155168−131741.225UEFA
59  Ivory Coast 13338848271316670+961711.943CAF
60  Israel
 Palestine, British Mandate
2111132453552189199−101701.288UEFA
61  Algeria 1544101482528161101+601691.673CAF
62  Ghana 15449547252314775+721661.747CAF
63  Zambia 1500106482137159104+551651.557CAF
64  Bolivia 1813174443298204340−1361640.943CONMEBOL
65  Syria 1600108462438214132+821621.500AFC
66  Wales 1922130432958168180−121581.215UEFA
67  Jamaica 1311120413247131156−251551.292CONCACAF
68  Oman 10009443222915388+651511.606AFC
69  Croatia 766724320912951+781492.069UEFA
70  Haiti 161197441736170126+441491.536CONCACAF
71  Panama 1311116402650147179−321461.259CONCACAF
72  North Korea 11228942192812784+431451.629AFC
73  DR Congo
 Zaire
12118841212614394+491441.636CAF
74  Bahrain 1200102383034131101+301441.412AFC
75  Ukraine 7118038281412262+601421.775UEFA
76  Finland 2000137352577144297−1531300.949UEFA
77  Senegal 14337534251611262+501271.693CAF
78  Jordan 11008436173113499+351251.488AFC
79  Guinea 140085371434123112+111251.471CAF
80  Slovakia 7117435192012774+531241.676UEFA
81  Venezuela 15001643029105140351−2111190.726CONMEBOL
82  South Africa 923603410167852+261121.867CAF
83  Iceland 1411116302264128233−1051120.966UEFA
84  Angola 1111732827189067+231111.521CAF
85  Thailand 1400103282352134174−401071.039AFC
86  Burkina Faso
 Upper Volta
10007030152510687+191051.500CAF
87  Slovenia 722722917269480+141041.444UEFA
88  Bosnia and Herzegovina 7116629142312181+401011.530UEFA
89  Kenya 14007825213288103−15961.231CAF
90  Lebanon 90078242133108106+2931.192AFC
91  Hong Kong 140089251846103158−55931.045AFC
92  Togo 1211752420317896−18921.227CAF
93  Malaysia 140075261435104133−29921.227AFC
94  Libya 1200662515267172−1901.364CAF
95  Gabon 1000672612297178−7901.343CAF
96  Indonesia
 Dutch East Indies
140187241845112178−66901.034AFC
97  Cuba 14017423203196108−12891.203CONCACAF
98  Suriname
 Dutch Guiana
160071241433114116−2861.211CONCACAF
99  Zimbabwe
 Rhodesia
1200732220316990−21861.178CAF
100  Albania 130011424147684200−116860.754UEFA
101  Latvia 9008521184693144−51810.953UEFA
102  Singapore 13008423124989168−79810.964AFC
103  Congo 11007121163477106−29791.113CAF
104  Sudan 14007619223571115−44791.039CAF
105  Solomon Islands 8005723925118121−3781.368OFC
106  Mali 700522015176657+9751.442CAF
107  North Macedonia
 Macedonia
7007220153795115−20751.042UEFA
108  East Germany 91147228178765+22741.574defunct
109  Curaçao
 Netherlands Antilles
 Territory of Curaçao
18006818203075120−45741.088CONCACAF
110  Fiji 100056211025114105+9731.304OFC
111  Liberia 1100702013375296−44731.043CAF
112  Malawi 1200701817356398−35711.014CAF
113  Lithuania 10008118164763130−67700.864UEFA
114  Uganda 1100521912214863−15691.327CAF
115  Tajikistan 800501910218874+14671.340AFC
116  Turkmenistan 80052207257684−8671.288AFC
117  Benin
 Dahomey
100054189275596−41631.167CAF
118  Vietnam
 South Vietnam
1000651964070115−45630.969AFC
119  Estonia 10008417125574187−113630.750UEFA
120  Cyprus 160012416159391320−229630.508UEFA
121  New Caledonia 50038188128946+43621.632OFC
122  Kyrgyzstan 80045187207068+2611.356AFC
123  Yemen
 North Yemen
11006615163567108−41610.924AFC
124  Cape Verde 70044186204656−10601.364CAF
125  Bermuda 900421611158565+20591.405CONCACAF
126  Tahiti 80045178206785−18591.311OFC
127  Armenia 7007213174261142−81560.778UEFA
128  Madagascar 1100461510215462−8551.196CAF
129  Namibia 900541413275294−42551.019CAF
130  Belarus 7006614124068121−53540.818UEFA
131  Saint Kitts and Nevis 80038158157366+7531.395CONCACAF
132  India 10005712172852101−49530.930AFC
133  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 900641584182193−111530.828CONCACAF
134  Montenegro 400401313146158+3521.300UEFA
135  Antigua and Barbuda 1200481572673100−27521.083CONCACAF
136  Palestine 70040149176452+12511.275AFC
137  Mozambique 100046149234163−22511.109CAF
138  Ethiopia 1300531117255377−24500.943CAF
139  Sierra Leone 1200511311274577−32500.980CAF
140  Georgia 7006411173657101−44500.781UEFA
141  Kazakhstan 7006812144276148−72500.735UEFA
142  Tanzania 1100441114194562−17471.068CAF
143  Dominican Republic 100035136165455−1451.286CONCACAF
144  Niger 90039136204567−22451.154CAF
145  Bangladesh 11006611104541163−122430.652AFC
146  Botswana 80040126223958−19421.050CAF
147  Rwanda 800481011274464−20410.854CAF
148  Vanuatu 70037123227689−13391.054OFC
149  Barbados 100043116264083−43390.907CONCACAF
150  Azerbaijan 700667154434122−88360.545UEFA
151  Nicaragua 90027111154346−3341.259CONCACAF
152  Luxembourg 210014281012477451−374340.239UEFA
153  Papua New Guinea 5002696114841+7331.269OFC
154  Burundi 8002696112734−7331.269CAF
155  Guyana 12004096254392−49330.825CONCACAF
156  Puerto Rico 11003188154057−17321.032CONCACAF
157  Equatorial Guinea 7003295182649−23321.000CAF
158  Faroe Islands 80080886441207−166320.400UEFA
159  Maldives 80042942945143−98310.738AFC
160  Belize 8003186173866−28300.968CONCACAF
161  Grenada 9003184195364−11280.903CONCACAF
162  Samoa
 Western Samoa
6002691163788−51281.077OFC
163  Moldova 700685135040145−105280.412UEFA
164  Chinese Taipei
 Republic of China
130074846248251−203280.378AFC
165  Gambia 10003076173048−18270.900CAF
166  Philippines 6003576223182−51270.771AFC
167  Afghanistan 6003076172074−54270.900AFC
168    Nepal 90046763331143−112270.587AFC
169  Guinea-Bissau 8002451091933−14251.042CAF
170  Saint Lucia 8002672173566−31230.885CONCACAF
171  Tonga 6002271142382−59221.000OFC
172  Myanmar 50030642025102−77220.733AFC
173  Lesotho 90030312151854−36210.700CAF
174  Malta 13001123129742330−288210.188UEFA
175  Chad 7002262141735−18200.909CAF
176  Mongolia 7002661191777−60190.731AFC
177  Sri Lanka 90041473027103−76190.463AFC
178  Eswatini
 Swaziland
9002545161747−30170.680CAF
179  Aruba 8002252152865−37170.773CONCACAF
180  Dominica 8002645172267−45170.654CONCACAF
181  Cambodia 70038452922136−114170.447AFC
182  Bahamas 7002044122166−45160.800CONCACAF
183  Macau 110039433217173−156150.385AFC
184  Andorra 60062435522186−164150.242UEFA
185  Laos 60030352224127−103140.467AFC
186  Comoros 500143471325−12130.929CAF
187  Liechtenstein 70070276125219−194130.186UEFA
188  Central African Republic 5002033141939−20120.600CAF
189  Mauritania 8002626181547−32120.462CAF
190  Bhutan 3001440101162−51120.857AFC
191  U.S. Virgin Islands 700213216996−87110.524CONCACAF
192  Mauritius 9002424181758−41100.417CAF
193  Cook Islands 6002031161663−47100.500OFC
194  Guam 4002231181187−76100.455AFC
195  American Samoa 50018311411136−125100.556OFC
196  Montserrat 7001523101956−3790.600CONCACAF
197  Cayman Islands 800221615956−4790.409CONCACAF
198  Djibouti 6002523201496−8290.360CAF
199  Pakistan 100040153415148−13380.200AFC
200  São Tomé and Príncipe 600142111635−2970.500CAF
201  Kosovo 200181314839−3160.333UEFA
202  Somalia 800171313638−3260.353CAF
203  Brunei 500182016574−6960.333AFC
204  British Virgin Islands 700180513861−5350.278CONCACAF
205  Turks and Caicos Islands 700151212769−6250.333CONCACAF
206  Saar 100411248−441.000defunct
207  South Sudan 3008044315−1240.500CAF
208  Eritrea 50010037420−1630.300CAF
209  Anguilla 700180315377−7430.167CONCACAF
210  Seychelles 700200218868−6020.100CAF
211  San Marino 80076027412356−34420.026UEFA
212  South Yemen 100201147−310.500defunct
213  Tuvalu 1004013222−2010.250OFC
214  East Timor 500180018687−8100.000AFC
215  Gibraltar 200200020790−8300.000UEFA

Qualification tournament rules

Qualification tournaments generally consist of a number of stages, made up of groups or knock-out ties.

Groups

In all group tournaments, three points are awarded for a win, one for a draw, and none for a loss. FIFA has set the order of the tie-breakers for teams that finish level on points:

  1. goal difference in all group matches
  2. greater number of goals scored in all group matches

Where teams are still not able to be separated, the following tie-breakers are used:

  1. greater number of points obtained in matches between the tied teams
  2. goal difference in matches between the tied teams
  3. greater number of goals scored in matches between the tied teams
  4. goals scored away from home in matches between the tied teams, if the tie is only between two teams

Where teams are still equal, then a play-off on neutral ground, with extra time and penalties if necessary will be played if FIFA deems such a play-off able to be fitted within the coordinated international match calendar. If this is not deemed feasible, then the result will be determined by fair play points and then the drawing of lots.

Note that this order of tie-breaker application has not always been applied. While it was used in the 2010 qualifiers, the qualification for the 2006 World Cup used the head-to-head comparison prior to goal difference (although this system was – where applicable – used in the 2006 finals themselves). If these rules had applied in 2006, then Nigeria would have qualified rather than Angola.

Home-and-away ties

Most knock-out qualifiers (such as the inter-confederation play-offs and many preliminary ties) are played over two legs. The team that scores a greater aggregate number of goals qualifies. Away goals rule applies. If these rules fail to determine the winner, extra time and penalty shootouts are used.

Occasionally – usually when one entrant lacks adequate facilities to host international matches – ties are played over a single leg, in which case matches level after 90 minutes will go to extra time and then to a penalty shootout if required.

Alternatively, "home" matches can be played in neutral countries, or occasionally one team will host both matches. In the latter case the visiting team will still be considered as the "home" team for one of the legs – which may determine which side advances under the away goals rule, as occurred in CONCACAF qualification in 2010.

See also

References

  1. "Sweden vs Estonia, 11 June 1933, World Cup qualification". eu-football.info. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.