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FIFA World Cup qualification

Selection process for World Cup competition From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"World Cup qualification" redirects here. For other uses, see World Cup qualification (disambiguation).

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.

Quick Facts Founded, Region ...
FIFA World Cup qualification
Thumb
Founded1933; 92 years ago (1933)
RegionInternational (FIFA)
Number of teams211 (currently eligible)
215 (overall)
WebsiteOfficial website
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
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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.

History

Summarize
Perspective

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[which?] 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)
  • ⁠1/3⁠ – a place in a play-off tournament where two out of six teams would qualify
More information Europe, Africa ...
Places allocated for continents
Uruguay
1930
[a]		 Italy
1934		 France
1938		 Brazil
1950		 Switzerland
1954		 Sweden
1958		 Chile
1962		 England
1966		 Mexico
1970		 West Germany
1974		 Argentina
1978		 Spain
1982		 Mexico
1986		 Italy
1990		 United States
1994
Europe 4 inv1211
+H+C		7
+C		11
+H		9[b]
+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[c]1[b]0.511112223
Asia —1110.51112222
Oceania —[d]0[c]0[c]0[c]0[c]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[e]13[f]
Entered qualification[g] —323432375154696997105107119111145
Played in qualification[h] 27211933464951689095103110103128
Qualified via qualification 141091314141414141422222222
Qualified without playing 1326732222222222
Close
More information Europe, Africa ...
France
1998		 South Korea
Japan
2002		 Germany
2006		 South Africa
2010		 Brazil
2014		 Russia
2018		 Qatar
2022		 Canada
Mexico
United States
2026		 Morocco
Portugal
Spain
2030		 Saudi Arabia
2034
Europe 14
+H		13.5
+C		13
+H		131313
+H		13162H
Africa 5555
+H		555⁠9+1/3⁠H
Asia 3.52.5
+2H		4.54.54.54.54.5
+H		⁠8+1/3⁠H
Oceania 0.50.50.50.50.50.50.5⁠1+1/3⁠
North and Central America
and Caribbean		 333.53.53.53.53.53⁠2/3⁠
+3H
South America 4
+C		4.54.54.54.5
+H		4.54.5⁠6+1/3⁠3H
Total berths 324848 or 64
Teams in the finals
Entered qualification[g] 172196197205[i]203210211[j]207
Played in qualification[h] 168193194199[i]202208204[j]206
Qualified via qualification 302931313131314542 /
58		47 /
63
Qualified without playing 2311111361
Close
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.

More information Year, Debuting teams ...
Year Debuting teams Successor and renamed teams
Europe South America North, Central America and Caribbean Asia Africa Oceania T CT
1934  Austria
 Belgium[a]
 Bulgaria
 Czechoslovakia[A]
 Estonia
 France[a]
 Germany[B]
 Greece
 Hungary
 Irish Free State[C]
 Italy[N 1]
 Lithuania
 Luxembourg
 Netherlands
 Poland
 Portugal
 Romania[a]
 Spain
 Sweden
  Switzerland
 Yugoslavia[a][D]		 none  Cuba
 Haiti
 Mexico[a]
 United States[a]		  Palestine, British Mandate[E]  Egypt[F] none 27 27
1938  Finland
 Latvia
 Norway		 none none none none none 3 30
1950  England
 Ireland[G]
 Scotland
 Turkey[b]
 Wales		 none none  Syria none none 6 36  Ireland[C]
 Israel[E]
1954  Saar  Brazil[c]
 Chile[d]
 Paraguay[e]		 none  Japan[f]
 South Korea		 none none 6 42  Northern Ireland[G]
 Republic of Ireland[C]
 West Germany[B]
1958  Denmark
 East Germany
 Iceland
 Soviet Union[H]		  Argentina[g]
 Bolivia[e]
 Colombia[f]
 Peru[h]
 Uruguay[i]		  Canada
 Costa Rica[f]
 Guatemala
 Territory of Curaçao[I]		  China
 Indonesia[j]		  Sudan none 16 58
1962  Cyprus[k]  Ecuador[l]  Dutch Guiana[f][J]
 Honduras		 none  Ethiopia
 Ghana
 Morocco
 Nigeria
 Tunisia		 none 9 67  Netherlands Antilles[I]
1966  Albania  Venezuela[k]  Jamaica
 Trinidad and Tobago		  North Korea none  Australia 6 73
1970 none none  Bermuda
 El Salvador[f]		 none  Algeria[m]
 Cameroon[m]
 Libya[m]
 Rhodesia[K]
 Senegal[m]
 Zambia		  New Zealand 9 82
1974  Malta none  Antigua and Barbuda
 Puerto Rico		  Hong Kong
 Iran
 Iraq
 Kuwait
 Malaysia
 South Vietnam[L]
 Thailand		  Congo
 Dahomey[M]
 Guinea[m]
 Ivory Coast
 Kenya
 Lesotho
 Mauritius
 Sierra Leone
 Tanzania
 Togo
 Zaire[N]		 none 21 103
1978 none none  Barbados
 Dominican Republic
 Guyana
 Panama		  Bahrain
 Qatar
 Republic of China[n][O]
 Saudi Arabia
 Singapore		  Malawi
 Mauritania
 Niger
 Uganda
 Upper Volta[P]		 none 14 117  Suriname[J]
1982 none none  Grenada  Macau  Gambia
 Liberia[m]
 Madagascar[o]
 Mozambique
 Somalia		  Fiji 8 125  Chinese Taipei[O]
 Zimbabwe[K]
1986 none none none  Bangladesh
 Brunei
 Jordan
 India[p]
   Nepal
 North Yemen[Q]
 South Yemen
 United Arab Emirates[q]		  Angola none 9 134  Benin[M]
1990 none none none  Oman[r]
 Pakistan		  Gabon[s] none 3 137  Burkina Faso[P]
1994  Faroe Islands
 San Marino		 none  Nicaragua
 Saint Lucia
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines		  Lebanon[t]
 Sri Lanka[u]		  Botswana
 Burundi
 Namibia
 South Africa
 Swaziland[R]		  Solomon Islands
 Tahiti
 Vanuatu		 15 152  Germany[B]
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks[A]
 Russia[H]
 Vietnam[L]
 Yemen[Q]
1998  Armenia
 Azerbaijan
 Belarus
 Bosnia and Herzegovina
 Croatia
 Georgia
 Liechtenstein[v]
 Macedonia[S]
 Moldova
 Slovakia
 Slovenia
 Ukraine		 none  Aruba
 Belize
 Cayman Islands
 Dominica
 Saint Kitts and Nevis		  Cambodia
 Kazakhstan
 Kyrgyzstan
 Maldives[w]
 Philippines[x]
 Tajikistan
 Turkmenistan
 Uzbekistan		  Guinea-Bissau
 Rwanda[w]		  Cook Islands
 Papua New Guinea
 Tonga
 Western Samoa[v][T]		 31 183  Czech Republic[A]
 DR Congo[N]
 FR Yugoslavia[D]
2002  Andorra none  Anguilla
 Bahamas[y]
 British Virgin Islands
 Montserrat
 Turks and Caicos Islands
 U.S. Virgin Islands		  Guam
 Laos
 Mongolia
 Palestine		  Cape Verde
 Central African Republic[z]
 Chad
 Djibouti
 Equatorial Guinea
 Eritrea
 Mali[aa]
 São Tomé and Príncipe[v]
 Seychelles		  American Samoa 21 204  Samoa[T]
2006 none none none  Afghanistan none  New Caledonia 2 206  Serbia and Montenegro[D]
2010  Montenegro none none  Timor-Leste
 Myanmar[ab]		  Comoros  Tuvalu[N 2] 5 211  Serbia[D]
2014 none none none none none none 0 211  Curaçao[I]
2018  Gibraltar
 Kosovo		 none none  Bhutan[ac]  South Sudan none 4 215
2022 none none none none none none 0 215  Eswatini[R]
 North Macedonia[S]
2026 none none none none none none 0 215
Close
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. [N 1]
    Italy had to qualify for the 1934 tournament despite being the host.
  2. [N 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)
H Qualified automatically as host
C Qualified automatically as reigning champion
i Was invited to the finals (all finalists in 1930 except Uruguay)
b Received bye to the finals
B Received bye to the finals, then withdrew (India in 1950)
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
More information Team, Current confederation ...
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[I]
 Afghanistan ——————————————nnnnnn AFC
 Albania ——————nsn—nnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Algeria wnnnQQnnnnnQQnn CAF
 American Samoa nnnnnwn OFC
 Andorra nnnnnn UEFA
 Angola nnnnnQnnnn CAF
 Anguilla nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Antigua and Barbuda n——nnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Argentina ibww—QQQnQHCQCQQQQQQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Armenia nnnnnnn UEFA
 Aruba —nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Australia nnQnnnnnnnQQQQQ AFC[II]
 Austria —QwwQQ—nnnQQnQnQnnnnnn UEFA
 Azerbaijan nnnnnnn UEFA
 Bahamas ———————wnnnwnn CONCACAF
 Bahrain ——nnnwnnnnnnnn AFC
 Bangladesh ——nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Barbados ——n—w—nnnnnndn CONCACAF
 Belarus nnnnnnn UEFA
 Belgium iQQwQnnnQnnQQQQQQnnQQQ UEFA
 Belize s—nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Benin (1978–)
 Dahomey (1970–1974)		 —n——n—n—nnnnnn CAF
 Bermuda —n—————nwnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Bhutan ——w—nnn AFC
 Bolivia i——bsnnnnnnnnnQnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Bosnia and Herzegovina nnnnQnn UEFA
 Botswana ———n—nnnnnn CAF
 Brazil ibbHQQCCQCQQQQQCQQQHQQ CONMEBOL
 British Virgin Islands nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Brunei ———n———n——snnn AFC
 Bulgaria —wn—nnQQQQnnQnQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Burkina Faso (1986–)
 Upper Volta (1970–1982)		 ——n——nwnnnnnnn CAF
 Burundi ————nwwnnnnn CAF
 Cambodia[i] ——————————nn—nnnnn AFC
 Cameroon wnnnQnQQQQnQQnQ CAF
 Canada ——nw—nnnnQnnnnnnnnQH CONCACAF
 Cape Verde ———nnnnnn CAF
 Cayman Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Central African Republic ———wd————nwwnnn CAF
 Chad —————————nnnnnnn CAF
 Chile iw—bnnHQnQnQnnsQnnQQnn CONMEBOL
 China ————n—————nnnnnQnnnnn AFC
 Chinese Taipei (1982–)
 Republic of China (1954–1978)		 ww————nnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC[III]
 Colombia w——nQnnnnnnQQQnnnQQn CONMEBOL[IV]
 Comoros nnnn CAF
 Congo s—nn———nnnnnnnn CAF
 Cook Islands nnnnnnwn OFC
 Costa Rica ——w—snnnnnnnnQnnQQnQQQ CONCACAF
 Croatia QQQnQQQ UEFA
 Cuba nbns——ns—nn—nwnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Curaçao (2014–)
 Netherlands Antilles (1962–2010)
 Territory of Curaçao (1934–1958)		 ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Cyprus wnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[V]
 Czech Republic (1998–)
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks (1994)
 Czechoslovakia (1930–1994)		 —QQ—QQQnQnnQnQnnnQnnnn UEFA
 Denmark —————n—nnnnnQnnQQnQnQQ UEFA
 Djibouti —n—nnnn CAF
 Dominica nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Dominican Republic —————n———nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 DR Congo (1998–)
 Zaire (1974–1998)[ii]		 —sQwn—nnnnnnnnn CAF
 East Germany —nnnnQnnnn defunct[VI]
 Timor-Leste nnnnn AFC
 Ecuador ———w——nnnnnnnnnnQQnQnQ CONMEBOL
 Egypt[iii] —Qw—nwww—nnnnQnnnnnnQn CAF[VII]
 El Salvador w—————QnnQnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 England QQQQHCnnQQQnQQQQQQQ UEFA
 Equatorial Guinea ———nnnnnn CAF
 Eritrea nnwnnnw CAF
 Estonia —nnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Eswatini (2022–)
 Swaziland (1982–2018)		 ———nnnnnnnn CAF
 Ethiopia —snwnnnnn—n—nndnnn CAF[VIII]
 Faroe Islands nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Fiji ————n—nnnnnnnnnn OFC
 Finland ——nwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 France iQHnQQnQnnQQQnnHCQQQQQ UEFA
 Gabon w—w———nnnnnnnnn CAF
 Gambia ———nn—wnnnnnnn CAF
 Georgia nnnnnnn UEFA
 Germany (1994–)
 West Germany (1950–1990)
 Germany (1930–1938)		 —QQsQCQQQHCQQQCQQHQQQQ UEFA
 Ghana nwnnnwnnnnnQQQnQ CAF
 Gibraltar nn UEFA
 Greece —wn—nnnnnnnnnnQnnnQQnn UEFA
 Grenada nw——nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guam —nww—nnn AFC
 Guatemala ——nnsnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guinea wsnnnnnnndnnnnn CAF
 Guinea-Bissau ——nnnnnnn CAF
 Guyana —nnnnnndnnnnn CONCACAF
 Haiti n——n———nQnnn—nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Honduras ———nnnnwQnnnnnnQQnn CONCACAF
 Hong Kong ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Hungary —QQ—bQQQnnQQQnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Iceland —sn———nnnnnnnnnnnQn UEFA
 India Bs————w——nwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Indonesia[iv] bw—ww——nnnnnnnnnnndn AFC
 Iran ——————nQwdnnQnQnQQQQ AFC
 Iraq —————nwnQnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Israel (1950–)
 Palestine, British Mandate (1930–1938)		 —nnnnnnnQnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[IX]
 Italy —QCCQnQQQQQQCHQQQQQQnn UEFA
 Ivory Coast ——nn—nnnnnQQQnn CAF
 Jamaica nnwn—dnnQnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Japan ——wsn—n—nnnnnnnQHQQQQQQ AFC
 Jordan ———————nnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Kazakhstan nnnnnnn UEFA[X]
 Kenya ———nnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Kosovo nn UEFA
 Kuwait ——nnQnnnnnnnndn AFC
 Kyrgyzstan nnnnnnn AFC
 Laos ————————————nn—nnnn AFC
 Latvia ——nnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lebanon ——————————w—nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Lesotho ——n—nww——nnnnnn CAF
 Liberia w———nnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Libya wn—nwnwd—nnnnnn CAF
 Liechtenstein ————wnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lithuania —nnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Luxembourg —nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Macau nn—nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Madagascar[v] ——w—nn—nnnnnnnn CAF
 Malawi ——nnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Malaysia[vi] ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Maldives w—nnnnnnnn AFC
 Mali w——————wwnnnnnn CAF
 Malta ———nnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Mauritania —n———wnnnn—nn CAF
 Mauritius ——n——ns—nnnnwnn CAF
 Mexico inwQQQQQHnQnHdQQQQQQQQH CONCACAF
 Moldova nnnnnnn UEFA
 Mongolia nnnnnnn AFC
 Montenegro nnnn UEFA
 Montserrat nnnnnn CONCACAF
 Morocco nwQwnnQnQQnnnnQQH CAF
 Mozambique n—snnnnnnnn CAF
 Myanmar[vii] w——————————w—wsnnnnn AFC
 Namibia nnnnnnnn CAF
   Nepal ———nn—nnwnnnnn AFC
 Netherlands —QQ——nnnnQQnnQQQnQQQnQ UEFA
 New Caledonia nnnnn OFC
 New Zealand —————nnnQnnnnnnQnnn OFC
 Nicaragua ——————————nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Niger ———nnw—nw—nnnnn CAF
 Nigeria nwnnnnnnQQQnQQQn CAF
 North Korea —Qdnwnnnn——nQnnwn AFC
 North Macedonia (2022–)
 Macedonia (1998–2018)		 nnnnnnn UEFA
 Northern Ireland (1954–)
 Ireland (1950)		 nnQnnnnnQQnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Norway ——Q—nnnnnnnnnnQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Oman —wnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Pakistan ——————————nnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Palestine nnnnnn AFC
 Panama ———————nnnnnnnnnnQn CONCACAF
 Papua New Guinea ———————n—n—nnnn OFC
 Paraguay i——bnQnnnnnnQnnQQQQnnnH CONMEBOL
 Peru iw—wwnnnQnQQnnnnnnnnQn CONMEBOL
 Philippines ——w———s—w—————nn——nnnn AFC
 Poland —nQ—wnnnnQQQQnnnQQnnQQ UEFA
 Portugal —nnnnnnQnnnnQnnnQQQQQQH UEFA
 Puerto Rico ———n——nnnnn—nnnn CONCACAF
 Qatar —nnnnnnnnnnnH AFC
 Republic of Ireland (1954–)
 Ireland (1950)
 Irish Free State (1930–1938)		 —nnnnnnnnnnnnQQnQnnnnn UEFA
 Romania iQb—nnwnQnnnnQQQnnnnnn UEFA
 Russia (1994–)
 Soviet Union (1950–1990)		 ——QQQQdnQQQQnQnnQHds UEFA
 Rwanda ——w—nnnnnnn CAF
 Saar n defunct[VI]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Saint Lucia nnnnnnnw CONCACAF
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Samoa (2002–)
 Western Samoa (1990–1998)		 —wnnnnnnwn OFC
 San Marino nnnnnnnn UEFA
 São Tomé and Príncipe —w—nnwnnnn CAF
 Saudi Arabia —————nnnnQQQQnnQQH AFC
 Scotland wQQnnnQQQQQnQnnnnnn UEFA
 Senegal wnnnnn—nnQnnnQQ CAF
 Serbia (2010–)
 Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
 FR Yugoslavia (1994–2002)
 Yugoslavia (1930–1990)		 innQQQQnnQnQnQdQnQQnQQ UEFA
 Seychelles ———nnnnnnn CAF
 Sierra Leone ———nnnn—wnnnnnnn CAF
 Singapore ——————nnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Slovakia nnnQnnn UEFA
 Slovenia nQnQnnn UEFA
 Solomon Islands nnnnnnnnn OFC
 Somalia ————n————nnnnnn CAF
 South Africa sdsssnQQnHnnn CAF
 South Korea —QsnwnnnnQQQQHQQQQQ AFC
 South Sudan nn CAF
 South Yemen ————nw defunct[XI]
 Spain —QsQnnQQnnQHQQQQQQQQQQH UEFA
 Sri Lanka[viii] —————ww———nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Sudan ——wwwnnwnnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Suriname (1978–)
 Dutch Guiana (1930–1974)		 ——w———nnnnnnn—nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Sweden —QQQnHnnQQQnnQQnQQnnQn UEFA
  Switzerland —QQQHnQQnnnnnnQnnQQQQQ UEFA
 Syria —w—nw—nnnnnnnnnndnnn AFC[XII]
 Tahiti nnnnnnnnn OFC
 Tajikistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Tanzania ——nwnn—wnnnnnnn CAF
 Thailand —————————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Togo ——nnnwwnnnQnnnn CAF
 Tonga nnnnnnwn OFC
 Trinidad and Tobago ————nnnnnnnnnnQnnnn CONCACAF
 Tunisia nwnnQnnnnQQQnnQQ CAF
 Turkey —w—wQwnnnnnnnnnnQnnnnn UEFA[XIII]
 Turkmenistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Turks and Caicos Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Tuvalu \ OFC
 Uganda ————nwnnwnnnnnnn CAF
 Ukraine nnQnnnn UEFA
 United Arab Emirates w—nQnnnnnnnn AFC
 United States iQwQnnnnnnnnnQHQQQQQnQH CONCACAF
 U.S. Virgin Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Uruguay H——bCnQQQQnnQQnnQnQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Uzbekistan nnnnnnn AFC
 Vanuatu nnnnnnnwn OFC
 Venezuela —w—nnwnnnnnnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Vietnam (1978–)
 South Vietnam (1954–1974)		 s————nw———nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Wales nnQnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Yemen (1994–)
 North Yemen (1982–1990)		 —nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Zambia —nnnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Zimbabwe (1982–)
 Rhodesia (1970–1978)		 n——nnnnnnnnndn CAF[XIV]
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
Close
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.

More information Key ...
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)
Close

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

More information Rank (unoff.), Team ...
Rank
(unoff.)		 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  South Korea 161011163103421833196+2353512.153AFC
3  Australia 16661731024427435130+3053502.023AFC
4  Iran 1266158101381934498+2463412.158AFC
5  Costa Rica 1866189954747316184+1323321.757CONCACAF
6  Argentina 151318165944328283142+1413251.970CONMEBOL
7  Japan 166715094282835193+2583102.067AFC
8  Brazil 14132213987361629786+2112972.137CONMEBOL
9  Uruguay 181114184825151257195+622971.614CONMEBOL
10  Saudi Arabia 1366148863626281112+1692941.986AFC
11  Netherlands 191111135892620329101+2282932.170UEFA
12  United States 19912168844044287191+962921.738CONCACAF
13  Spain 19151612587261229181+2102872.296UEFA
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  Paraguay 1968184734269221222−12611.418CONMEBOL
24  Colombia 1866182675857215188+272591.423CONMEBOL
25  Honduras 1633166714451271201+702571.548CONCACAF
26  China 1311138772239284121+1632531.833AFC
27  El Salvador 1522162713457263188+752471.525CONCACAF
28  Romania 1857138722937238142+962451.775UEFA
29   Switzerland 201112140683735220150+702411.721UEFA
30  Chile 1769176683672245241+42401.364CONMEBOL
31  Scotland 1998136693037210146+642371.743UEFA
32  France 18121611970262323491+1432361.983UEFA
33  Denmark 1666132673035242144+982311.750UEFA
34  Tunisia 166611665312019886+1122261.948CAF
35  Poland 1999128672338260154+1062241.750UEFA
36  Canada 1523137623837215144+712241.635CONCACAF
37  Iraq 1311131633434243124+1192231.702AFC
38  Morocco 166612261392218584+1012221.820CAF
39  Nigeria 166611662351918989+1002211.905CAF
40  Austria 1987134642941232155+772211.649UEFA
41  Republic of Ireland
 Ireland
 Irish Free State		 2133149584645210177+332201.477UEFA
42  Ecuador 1744173604271207225−182191.266CONMEBOL
43  Qatar 1301132642543227142+852171.644AFC
44  Hungary 1989132632841235176+592171.644UEFA
45  Bulgaria 2077137622946215191+242151.569UEFA
46  Uzbekistan 800114622230216113+1032081.825AFC
47  Trinidad and Tobago 1611143583055216187+292041.427CONCACAF
48  Egypt 163310560222318796+912021.924CAF
49  United Arab Emirates 1111128592544222133+892021.578AFC
50  New Zealand 1522105611826258102+1562011.914OFC
51  Cameroon 15889959241616774+932012.030CAF
52  Greece 2033136563347167179−122011.478UEFA
53  Peru 1845180514584186248−621981.100CONMEBOL
54  Guatemala 1700128543242217150+671941.516CONCACAF
55  Turkey 1832139532759204206−21861.338UEFA
56  Kuwait 1411113542138190116+741831.619AFC
57  Norway 1933136493354185186−11801.324UEFA
58  Northern Ireland
 Ireland		 1933142453958155168−131741.225UEFA
59  Bolivia 18131804733100213353−1401740.967CONMEBOL
60  Ivory Coast 13338848271316670+961711.943CAF
61  Israel
 Palestine, British Mandate		 2111132453552189199−101701.288UEFA
62  Algeria 1544101482528161101+601691.673CAF
63  Ghana 15449547252314775+721661.747CAF
64  Zambia 1500106482137159104+551651.557CAF
65  Syria 1600108462438214132+821621.500AFC
66  Wales 1922130432958168180−121581.215UEFA
67  Oman 100010045223315997+621571.570AFC
68  Jamaica 1311120413247131156−251551.292CONCACAF
69  Bahrain 1200108393336136111+251501.389AFC
70  Croatia 766724320912951+781492.069UEFA
71  Haiti 161197441736170126+441491.536CONCACAF
72  North Korea 11229542213213293+391471.547AFC
73  Panama 1311116402650147179−321461.259CONCACAF
74  DR Congo
 Zaire		 12118841212614394+491441.636CAF
75  Ukraine 7118038281412262+601421.775UEFA
76  Jordan 110090382032143104+391341.489AFC
77  Finland 2000137352577144297−1531300.949UEFA
78  Senegal 14337534251611262+501271.693CAF
79  Guinea 140085371434123112+111251.471CAF
80  Slovakia 7117435192012774+531241.676UEFA
81  Venezuela 15001703032108145363−2181220.718CONMEBOL
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  Indonesia
 Dutch East Indies		 140193252147118187−69961.032AFC
91  Lebanon 90078242133108106+2931.192AFC
92  Hong Kong 140089251846103158−55931.045AFC
93  Togo 1211752420317896−18921.227CAF
94  Malaysia 140075261435104133−29921.227AFC
95  Libya 1200662515267172−1901.364CAF
96  Gabon 1000672612297178−7901.343CAF
97  Cuba 14017423203196108−12891.203CONCACAF
98  Suriname
 Dutch Guiana		 160071241433114116−2861.211CONCACAF
99  Zimbabwe
 Rhodesia		 1200732220316990−21861.178CAF
100  Albania 130011424147684200−116860.754UEFA
101  Solomon Islands 9006024927122126−4811.350OFC
102  Latvia 9008521184693144−51810.953UEFA
103  Singapore 13008423124989168−79810.964AFC
104  Congo 11007121163477106−29791.113CAF
105  Sudan 14007619223571115−44791.039CAF
106  Fiji 110059221225119109+10781.322OFC
107  Mali 700522015176657+9751.442CAF
108  North Macedonia
 Macedonia		 7007220153795115−20751.042UEFA
109  East Germany 91147228178765+22741.574defunct
110  Curaçao
 Netherlands Antilles
 Territory of Curaçao		 18006818203075120−45741.088CONCACAF
111  Liberia 1100702013375296−44731.043CAF
112  Malawi 1200701817356398−35711.014CAF
113  Lithuania 10008118164763130−67700.864UEFA
114  New Caledonia 60041209129650+46691.683OFC
115  Uganda 1100521912214863−15691.327CAF
116  Tajikistan 800501910218874+14671.340AFC
117  Turkmenistan 80052207257684−8671.288AFC
118  Tahiti 90048198217288−16651.354OFC
119  Kyrgyzstan 80051197257681−5641.255AFC
120  Benin
 Dahomey		 100054189275596−41631.167CAF
121  Vietnam
 South Vietnam		 1000651964070115−45630.969AFC
122  Estonia 10008417125574187−113630.750UEFA
123  Cyprus 160012416159391320−229630.508UEFA
124  Yemen
 North Yemen		 11006615163567108−41610.924AFC
125  Cape Verde 70044186204656−10601.364CAF
126  Bermuda 900421611158565+20591.405CONCACAF
127  Armenia 7007213174261142−81560.778UEFA
128  Madagascar 1100461510215462−8551.196CAF
129  Namibia 900541413275294−42551.019CAF
130  Palestine 700461412206860+8541.174AFC
131  Belarus 7006614124068121−53540.818UEFA
132  Saint Kitts and Nevis 80038158157366+7531.395CONCACAF
133  India 10005712172852101−49530.930AFC
134  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 900641584182193−111530.828CONCACAF
135  Montenegro 400401313146158+3521.300UEFA
136  Antigua and Barbuda 1200481572673100−27521.083CONCACAF
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  Vanuatu 800401332481100−19421.050OFC
147  Botswana 80040126223958−19421.050CAF
148  Rwanda 800481011274464−20410.854CAF
149  Barbados 100043116264083−43390.907CONCACAF
150  Azerbaijan 700667154434122−88360.545UEFA
151  Papua New Guinea 6002997135349+4341.172OFC
152  Nicaragua 90027111154346−3341.259CONCACAF
153  Samoa
 Western Samoa		 700311111942104−62341.097OFC
154  Luxembourg 210014281012477451−374340.239UEFA
155  Burundi 8002696112734−7331.269CAF
156  Guyana 12004096254392−49330.825CONCACAF
157  Puerto Rico 11003188154057−17321.032CONCACAF
158  Equatorial Guinea 7003295182649−23321.000CAF
159  Faroe Islands 80080886441207−166320.400UEFA
160  Maldives 80042942945143−98310.738AFC
161  Belize 8003186173866−28300.968CONCACAF
162  Grenada 9003184195364−11280.903CONCACAF
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  Tonga 7002481152785−58251.042OFC
171  Saint Lucia 8002672173566−31230.885CONCACAF
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 7002131171766−49100.476OFC
194  Guam 4002231181187−76100.455AFC
195  American Samoa 60019311511138−127100.526OFC
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  Timor-Leste 500180018687−8100.000AFC
215  Gibraltar 200200020790−8300.000UEFA
Close

Qualification tournament rules

Summarize
Perspective

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

External links

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