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FIFA World Cup qualification#Europe

{{Short description|Selection process for World Cup competition}}

{{Redirect|World Cup qualification||World Cup qualification (disambiguation)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox football tournament

| logo = FIFA World Cup wordmark.svg

| caption =

| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1933}}

| region = International (FIFA)

| number of teams = 211 (currently eligible)
215 (overall)

| website = {{Official website|https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/}}

| current = 2026 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.

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

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{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_match.php?id=5730|title=Sweden vs Estonia, 11 June 1933, World Cup qualification|publisher=eu-football.info|accessdate=25 January 2023}} attributing it to Swedish captain Knut Kroon while others{{which|date=January 2023}} 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)
  • {{sfrac|1|3}} – a place in a play-off tournament where two out of six teams would qualify

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Places allocated for continents

! {{flagicon|Uruguay}}
{{color|grey|1930}}
{{efn-la|Berths were given by invitation only.}}

! {{flagicon|Italy|1861}}
1934

! {{flagicon|France|1830}}
1938

! {{flagicon|Brazil|1889}}
1950

! {{flagicon|Switzerland}}
1954

! {{flagicon|Sweden}}
1958

! {{flagicon|Chile}}
1962

! {{flagicon|England}}
1966

! {{flagicon|Mexico}}
1970

! {{flagicon|West Germany}}
1974

! {{flagicon|Argentina}}
1978

! {{flagicon|Spain}}
1982

! {{flagicon|Mexico}}
1986

! {{flagicon|Italy}}
1990

! {{flagicon|United States}}
1994

Europe

| 4 inv || 12 ||rowspan=2| 11
+H+C || 7
+C ||rowspan=2| 11
+H || 9{{efn-la|name=1958q|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.}}
+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

| — ||rowspan=2| 1 || 0{{efn-la|name=none|None entered.}} ||rowspan=2| 1{{efn-la|name=1958q}} || 0.5 ||rowspan=3| 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 3

Asia

| — || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0.5 ||rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| 1 ||rowspan=2| 2 || 2 || 2 || 2

Oceania

|colspan=3 {{n/a}}{{efn-la|No teams from the region were members of FIFA before 1950.}} || 0{{efn-la|name=none}} || 0{{efn-la|name=none}} || 0{{efn-la|name=none}} || 0{{efn-la|name=none}} || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.25

North and Central America
and Caribbean

| 2 inv || 1 || 1 || 2 || 1 || 1 || 0.5 || 1 || 1
+H || 1 || 1 || 2 || 1
+H || 2 || 1.25
+H

South America

| H+
6 inv || 2 || 1 || 4
+H || 1
+C || 3 || 3.5
+H+C || 3
+C || 3 || 2.5
+C || 2.5
+H || 3
+C || 4 || 2.5
+C || 3.5

style="background:#fdd"

!style="background:#fdd"| Total berths

|rowspan=2| 13

rowspan=2| 16colspan=2|16colspan="7" rowspan="2"| 16colspan="4" rowspan="2"| 24
style="background:#fdd"

!style="background:#fdd"| Teams in the finals

| 15{{efn-la|Austria withdrew after having qualified.}}

13{{efn-la|India, Scotland and Turkey withdrew after having qualified. France initially accepted to participate as a replacement but then withdrew as well.}}
style="border-top:3px solid green"

! Entered qualification{{efn-la|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.|name=entered}}

|rowspan=3 {{n/a}}

323432375154696997105107119111145
Played in qualification{{efn-la|Only includes teams that played at least one qualifying match that was not annulled.|name=played}}

| 27 || 21 || 19 || 33 || 46 || 49 || 51 || 68 || 90 || 95 || 103 || 110 || 103 || 128

Qualified via qualification

| 14 || 10 || 9 || 13 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 14 || 22 || 22 || 22 || 22

Qualified without playing

| 13 || 2 || 6 || 7 || 3 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2 || 2

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
! {{flagicon|France|1974}}
1998

! {{flagicon|South Korea|1997}}
{{flagicon|Japan}}
2002

! {{flagicon|Germany}}
2006

! {{flagicon|South Africa}}
2010

! {{flagicon|Brazil}}
2014

! {{flagicon|Russia}}
2018

! {{flagicon|Qatar}}
2022

! {{flagicon|Canada}}
{{flagicon|Mexico}}
{{flagicon|United States}}
2026

! {{flagicon|Morocco}}
{{flagicon|Portugal}}
{{flagicon|Spain}}
2030

! {{flagicon|Saudi Arabia}}
2034

Europe

| 14
+H || 13.5
+C || 13
+H || 13 || 13 || 13
+H || 13 || 16 || 2H ||

Africa

| 5 || 5 || 5 || 5
+H || 5 || 5 || 5 || {{sfrac|9|1|3}} || H ||

Asia

| 3.5 || 2.5
+2H || 4.5 || 4.5 || 4.5 || 4.5 || 4.5
+H || {{sfrac|8|1|3}} || || H

Oceania

| 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || 0.5 || {{sfrac|1|1|3}} || ||

North and Central America
and Caribbean

| 3 || 3 || 3.5 || 3.5 || 3.5 || 3.5 || 3.5 || 3{{sfrac|2|3}}
+3H || ||

South America

| 4
+C || 4.5 || 4.5 || 4.5 || 4.5
+H || 4.5 || 4.5 || {{sfrac|6|1|3}} || 3H ||

style="background:#fdd"

!style="background:#fdd"| Total berths

|colspan="7" rowspan="2"| 32

rowspan="2"| 48colspan="2" rowspan="2"| 48 or 64
style="background:#fdd"

!style="background:#fdd"| Teams in the finals

style="border-top:3px solid green"

! Entered qualification{{efn-la|name=entered}}

| 172

196197205{{efn-la|name=2010q|Including host South Africa and non-FIFA member Tuvalu, which participated because other tournaments also served as World Cup qualifiers.}}203210211{{efn-la|name=2022q|Including host Qatar, which participated because another tournament also served as World Cup qualifiers.}}207
Played in qualification{{efn-la|name=played}}

| 168 || 193 || 194 || 199{{efn-la|name=2010q}} || 202 || 208 || 204{{efn-la|name=2022q}} || 206 || ||

Qualified via qualification

| 30 || 29 || 31 || 31 || 31 || 31 || 31 || 45 || 42 /
58 || 47 /
63

Qualified without playing

| 2 || 3 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 3 || 6 || 1

; Notes

{{notelist-la}}

= 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.

class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;"
rowspan=2| Year

! colspan=8| Debuting teams

! rowspan=2| Successor and renamed teams

Europe

! South America

! North, Central America and Caribbean

! Asia

! Africa

! Oceania

!width=25| {{abbr|T|Total}}

!width=25| {{abbr|CT|Cumulative total}}

align=center| 1934

| {{fb|AUT}}
{{fb|BEL}}{{efn|name=1930i|Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation.}}
{{fb|BUL}}
{{fb|TCH}}{{efn-ua|name=CZE|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.}}
{{fb|EST}}
{{fb|FRA|1830}}{{efn|name=1930i}}
{{fb|GER|1933}}{{efn-ua|name=GER|Germany was succeeded from the 1954 qualification by West Germany, which in turn was succeeded by the reunified Germany from the 1994 qualification.}}
{{fb|GRE|old}}
{{fb|HUN|1920}}
{{fb|Irish Free State}}{{efn-ua|name=IRL|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.}}
{{fb|ITA|1861}}{{refn|group="N"|Italy had to qualify for the 1934 tournament despite being the host.}}
{{fb|LTU|1918}}
{{fb|LUX}}
{{fb|NED}}
{{fb|POL|1928}}
{{fb|POR}}
{{fb|ROU}}{{efn|name=1930i}}
{{fb|ESP|1931}}
{{fb|SWE}}
{{fb|SUI}}
{{fb|Kingdom of Yugoslavia}}{{efn|name=1930i}}{{efn-ua|name=SRB|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.}}

| none

| {{fb|CUB|1902}}
{{fb|HAI|civil}}
{{fb|MEX|1934}}{{efn|name=1930i}}
{{fb|USA|1912}}{{efn|name=1930i}}

| {{fb|PAL|wrap=yes}}{{efn-ua|name=ISR|Mandatory Palestine was succeeded by Israel from the 1950 qualification.}}

| {{fb|EGY|1922}}{{efn-ua|Egypt was later succeeded by the {{fb|UAR}}, 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.}}

| none

|align=center| 27

|align=center| 27

|

align=center| 1938

|{{fb|FIN}}
{{fb|LVA}}
{{fb|NOR}}

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 30

|

align=center| 1950

| {{fb|ENG}}
{{fb|IRE}}{{efn-ua|name=NIR|Ireland was succeeded by Northern Ireland from the 1954 qualification.}}
{{fb|SCO}}
{{fb|TUR}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|WAL|1807}}

| none

| none

| {{fb|SYR|1932}}

| none

| none

|align=center| 6

|align=center| 36

|{{fb|IRL|name=Ireland}}{{efn-ua|name=IRL}}
{{fb|ISR}}{{efn-ua|name=ISR}}

align=center| 1954

| {{fb|SAA}}

| {{fb|BRA|1889}}{{efn|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.}}
{{fb|CHI}}{{efn|Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.}}
{{fb|PAR|1842}}{{efn|name=1930i-1950b|Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.}}

| none

| {{fb|JPN|1870}}{{efn|name=1938w|Withdrew from the 1938 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|KOR|1949}}

| none

| none

|align=center| 6

|align=center| 42

| {{fb|NIR}}{{efn-ua|name=NIR}}
{{fb|IRL}}{{efn-ua|name=IRL}}
{{fb|FRG}}{{efn-ua|name=GER}}

align=center| 1958

| {{fb|DEN}}
{{fb|GDR|1949}}
{{fb|ISL}}
{{fb|URS}}{{efn-ua|name=RUS|The Soviet Union was succeeded by Russia from the 1994 qualification.}}

| {{fb|ARG}}{{efn|Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1934 finals. Withdrew from the 1938 and 1950 qualifications before playing.}}
{{fb|BOL}}{{efn|name=1930i-1950b}}
{{fb|COL}}{{efn|name=1938w}}
{{fb|PER}}{{efn|Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934, 1950, and 1954 qualifications before playing.}}
{{fb|URU}}{{efn|Participated in the 1930 World Cup as host. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals. Qualified automatically for the 1954 finals as defending champion.}}

| {{fb|CAN|1957}}
{{fb|CRC}}{{efn|name=1938w}}
{{fb|GUA}}
{{fb|Territory of Curaçao|name=Territory of Curaçao}}{{efn-ua|name=CUW|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.}}

| {{fb|CHN}}
{{fb|IDN}}{{efn|Qualified by walkover for the 1938 finals (entered as the {{fb|DEI}}). Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.}}

| {{fb|SDN|1956}}

| none

|align=center| 16

|align=center| 58

|

align=center| 1962

| {{fb|CYP|1960}}{{efn|name=1958w|Withdrew from the 1958 qualification before playing.}}

| {{fb|ECU|1900}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.}}

| {{fb|NGY|name=Dutch Guiana}}{{efn|name=1938w}}{{efn-ua|name=SUR|Dutch Guiana was succeeded by Suriname from the 1978 qualification.}}
{{fb|HON|1949}}

| none

| {{fb|ETH|1897}}
{{fb|GHA}}
{{fb|MAR}}
{{fb|NGA}}
{{fb|TUN|1959}}

| none

|align=center| 9

|align=center| 67

| {{fb|ANT|1959}}{{efn-ua|name=CUW}}

align=center| 1966

| {{fb|ALB|1946}}

| {{fb|VEN|1930}}{{efn|name=1958w}}

| {{fb|JAM}}
{{fb|TRI}}

| {{fb|PRK|1948}}

| none

| {{fb|AUS}}

|align=center|6

|align=center|73

|

align=center| 1970

| none

| none

| {{fb|BER}}
{{fb|SLV}}{{efn|name=1938w}}

| none

| {{fb|ALG}}{{efn|name=1966w|Withdrew from the 1966 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|CMR|1961}}{{efn|name=1966w}}
{{fb|LBY|1951}}{{efn|name=1966w}}
{{fb|Rhodesia}}{{efn-ua|name=ZIM|Rhodesia was succeeded by Zimbabwe from the 1982 qualification.}}
{{fb|SEN}}{{efn|name=1966w}}
{{fb|ZAM|1964}}

|{{fb|NZL}}

|align=center| 9

|align=center| 82

|

align=center| 1974

| {{fb|MLT}}

| none

| {{fb|ATG}}
{{fb|PUR|1952}}

| {{fb|HKG|1959}}
{{fb|IRN|1964}}
{{fb|IRQ|1963}}
{{fb|KUW}}
{{fb|MAS}}
{{fb|South Vietnam}}{{efn-ua|name=VIE|South Vietnam was succeeded by Vietnam from the 1994 qualification.}}
{{fb|THA}}

| {{fb|CGO|1970}}
{{fb|Dahomey}}{{efn-ua|name=BEN|Dahomey was renamed as Benin from the 1986 qualification.}}
{{fb|GUI}}{{efn|name=1966w}}
{{fb|CIV}}
{{fb|KEN}}
{{fb|LES|1966}}
{{fb|MRI}}
{{fb|SLE}}
{{fb|TAN}}
{{fb|TOG}}
{{fb|ZAI}}{{efn-ua|name=COD|Zaire was renamed as DR Congo during the 1998 qualification.}}

| none

|align=center| 21

|align=center| 103

|

align=center| 1978

| none

| none

| {{fb|BRB}}
{{fb|DOM}}
{{fb|GUY}}
{{fb|PAN}}

| {{fb|BHR|1972}}
{{fb|QAT}}
{{fb|ROC}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1954 and 1958 qualifications before playing.}}{{efn-ua|name=TPE|The Republic of China became officially known as Chinese Taipei from the 1982 qualification.}}
{{fb|KSA}}
{{fb|SGP}}

| {{fb|MWI}}
{{fb|MTN|1959}}
{{fb|NIG}}
{{fb|UGA}}
{{fb|Upper Volta}}{{efn-ua|name=BFA|Upper Volta was renamed as Burkina Faso from the 1990 qualification.}}

| none

|align=center| 14

|align=center| 117

| {{fb|SUR}}{{efn-ua|name=SUR}}

align=center| 1982

| none

| none

| {{fb|GRN}}

| {{fb|MAC|colonial}}

| {{fb|GAM}}
{{fb|LBR}}{{efn|name=1966w}}
{{fb|MAD}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing (entered as the {{fb|MAD|name=Malagasy Republic}}).}}
{{fb|MOZ|1975}}
{{fb|SOM}}

| {{fb|FIJ}}

|align=center| 8

|align=center| 125

| {{fb|TPE}}{{efn-ua|name=TPE}}
{{fb|ZIM}}{{efn-ua|name=ZIM}}

align=center| 1986

| none

| none

| none

| {{fb|BAN}}
{{fb|BRU}}
{{fb|JOR}}
{{fb|IND}}{{efn|Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals, and subsequently withdrew from participation. Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|NEP}}
{{fb|North Yemen}}{{efn-ua|name=YEM|North Yemen was succeeded by Yemen from the 1994 qualification.}}
{{fb|South Yemen}}
{{fb|UAE}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing.}}

| {{fb|ANG}}

| none

|align=center| 9

|align=center| 134

| {{fb|BEN|1975}}{{efn-ua|name=BEN}}

align=center| 1990

| none

| none

| none

| {{fb|OMA|1970}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1986 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|PAK}}

| {{fb|GAB}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1966 and 1974 qualifications before playing.}}

| none

|align=center| 3

|align=center| 137

| {{fb|BFA}}{{efn-ua|name=BFA}}

align=center| 1994

| {{fb|FRO}}
{{fb|SMR|1862}}

| none

| {{fb|NCA}}
{{fb|LCA|1979}}
{{fb|VIN|wrap=yes}}

| {{fb|LBN}}{{efn|Withdrew during the 1986 qualification and had all its matches of that campaign annulled.}}
{{fb|SRI}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1974 and 1978 qualifications before playing (entered in 1974 as {{fb|CEY|1951}}).}}

| {{fb|BOT}}
{{fb|BDI}}
{{fb|NAM}}
{{fb|RSA|1928}}
{{fb|SWZ|name=Swaziland}}{{efn-ua|name=SWZ|Swaziland was renamed as Eswatini from the 2022 qualification.}}

| {{fb|SOL}}
{{fb|TAH}}
{{fb|VAN}}

|align=center| 15

|align=center| 152

| {{fb|GER}}{{efn-ua|name=GER}}
{{fb|TCH|name=Representation of Czechs and Slovaks|wrap=yes}}{{efn-ua|name=CZE}}
{{fb|RUS|1991}}{{efn-ua|name=RUS}}
{{fb|VIE}}{{efn-ua|name=VIE}}
{{fb|YEM}}{{efn-ua|name=YEM}}

align=center| 1998

| {{fb|ARM}}
{{fb|AZE}}
{{fb|BLR|1995}}
{{fb|BIH|1992}}
{{fb|CRO}}
{{fb|GEO|1990}}
{{fb|LIE}}{{efn|name=1994w|Withdrew from the 1994 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}}{{efn-ua|name=MKD|Macedonia was renamed as North Macedonia from the 2022 qualification.}}
{{fb|MDA}}
{{fb|SVK}}
{{fb|SVN}}
{{fb|UKR|1992}}

| none

| {{fb|ARU}}
{{fb|BLZ|1981}}
{{fb|CAY}}
{{fb|DMA}}
{{fb|SKN}}

| {{fb|CAM}}
{{fb|KAZ}}
{{fb|KGZ|1992}}
{{fb|MDV}}{{efn|name=1990w|Withdrew from the 1990 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|PHI|1986}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1950 and 1974 qualifications before playing.}}
{{fb|TJK}}
{{fb|TKM|1997}}
{{fb|UZB}}

| {{fb|GNB}}
{{fb|RWA|1962}}{{efn|name=1990w}}

| {{fb|COK}}
{{fb|PNG}}
{{fb|TGA}}
{{fb|WSM}}{{efn|name=1994w}}{{efn-ua|name=SAM|Western Samoa was renamed as Samoa from the 2002 qualification.}}

|align=center| 31

|align=center| 183

| {{fb|CZE}}{{efn-ua|name=CZE}}
{{fb|COD|1997}}{{efn-ua|name=COD}}
{{fb|FRY|name=FR Yugoslavia}}{{efn-ua|name=SRB}}

align=center| 2002

| {{fb|AND}}

| none

| {{fb|AIA}}
{{fb|BAH}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1998 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|VGB}}
{{fb|MSR}}
{{fb|TCA}}
{{fb|VIR}}

| {{fb|GUM}}
{{fb|LAO}}
{{fb|MGL|1992}}
{{fb|PLE}}

| {{fb|CPV}}
{{fb|CTA}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing. Was disqualified from the 1982 qualification before playing.}}
{{fb|CHA}}
{{fb|DJI}}
{{fb|EQG}}
{{fb|ERI}}
{{fb|MLI}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1966, 1994 and 1998 qualifications before playing.}}
{{fb|STP}}{{efn|name=1994w}}
{{fb|SEY}}

| {{fb|ASA}}

|align=center| 21

|align=center| 204

| {{fb|SAM}}{{efn-ua|name=SAM}}

align=center| 2006

| none

| none

| none

| {{fb|AFG|2002}}

| none

| {{fb|NCL}}

|align=center| 2

|align=center| 206

| {{fb|SCG}}{{efn-ua|name=SRB}}

align=center| 2010

| {{fb|MNE}}

| none

| none

| {{fb|TLS}}
{{fb|MYA|1974}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 1950, 1994, and 2002 qualifications before playing (entered in 1950 as {{fb|Burma|1948}}).}}

| {{fb|COM}}

| {{fb|TUV}}{{refn|group="N"|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.}}

|align=center| 5

|align=center| 211

| {{fb|SRB|2004}}{{efn-ua|name=SRB}}

align=center| 2014

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

|align=center| 0

|align=center| 211

| {{fb|CUW}}{{efn-ua|name=CUW}}

align=center| 2018

| {{fb|GIB}}
{{fb|KOS}}

| none

| none

| {{fb|BHU}}{{efn|Withdrew from the 2010 qualification before playing.}}

| {{fb|SSD|2011}}

| none

|align=center| 4

|align=center| 215

|

align=center| 2022

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

|align=center| 0

|align=center| 215

| {{fb|SWZ}}{{efn-ua|name=SWZ}}
{{fb|MKD}}{{efn-ua|name=MKD}}

align=center| 2026

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

| none

|align=center| 0

|align=center| 215

|

;Teams' entries before their actual debuts in qualification

{{notelist}}

;Successor and renamed teams

{{notelist-ua}}

;Other notes

{{reflist|group="N"}}

=Overview of teams' participations=

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

Key

  • {{font color||gold|golden background}} = successful qualifying campaign
  • {{font color|white|#C3C3C3|grey background}} = did not take part in qualifying
  • {{font color|red|bold red typeface}} = participated in the final tournament

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|Q}}

|align=left| Qualified

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|N}}

|align=left| Qualified, then withdrew from the finals (Austria in 1938, and Scotland and Turkey in 1950)

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|n}}

|align=left| Did not qualify

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|W}}

|align=left| Withdrew during qualifying

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|D}}

|align=left| Was disqualified during qualifying

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|h}}

|align=left| Qualified automatically as host but took part in qualifiers as they doubled as another tournament (South Africa in 2010 and Qatar in 2022)

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|\}}

|align=left| Was not a FIFA member but took part in qualifiers as they doubled as another tournament (Tuvalu in 2010)

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|H}}

|align=left| Qualified automatically as host

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|C}}

|align=left| Qualified automatically as reigning champion

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|i}}

|align=left| Was invited to the finals (all finalists in 1930 except Uruguay)

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|b}}

|align=left| Received bye to the finals

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|B}}

|align=left| Received bye to the finals, then withdrew (India in 1950)

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|w}}

|align=left| Entered but withdrew before playing, or withdrew during qualifying and had all matches annulled

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|d}}

|align=left| Entered but was disqualified before playing, or was disqualified during qualifying and had all matches annulled

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year|s}}

|align=left| Was suspended from entering, or had entry rejected

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year
}}

|align=left| Did not enter despite being a FIFA member

{{FIFA World Cup qualification team/year| }}

|align=left| Was not a FIFA member

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center"
style="line-height:1em"

!rowspan=2| Team

! {{color|grey|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

!rowspan=2| Current
confederation{{efn-ur|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.}}

{{FIFAt|AFG| | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|ALB|

n|s|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|ALG| | | | | | | |w|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|ASA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|AND| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|ANG| | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|AIA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|ATG| | | | | | | | | |n

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|ARG|i|b|w|w

Q|Q|Q|n|Q|H|C|Q|C|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|H|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|ARM| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|ARU| | | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|AUS| | | | | | | |n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=AFC{{efn-ur|Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–2006.}}}}

{{FIFAt|AUT

Q|N|w|Q|Q
n|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|AZE| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|BAH| | | | | | | |

w|n|n|n|W|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|BHR| | | | | | | |

n|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|BAN| | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|BRB| | | | | | | |

n
w
n|n|n|n|n|n|D|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|BLR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|BEL|i|Q|Q|w|Q|n|n|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|BLZ| | | | | | | | | | | | | |s

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|BEN| | | | | | | |

n
n
n
n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF|team={{fb|BEN}} {{small|(1978–)}}
{{fb|DAH}} {{small|(1970–1974)}}}}

{{FIFAt|BER| | | | | | |

n
n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|BHU| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

w
n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|BOL|i

b|s|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|BIH| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|BOT| | | | | | | | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|BRA|i|b|b|H|Q|Q|C|C|Q|C|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|C|Q|Q|Q|H|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|VGB| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|BRU| | | | | | | | |

n
n
s|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|BUL

W|n
n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|BFA| | | | | | | |

n
n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF|team={{fb|BFA}} {{small|(1986–)}}
{{fb|Upper Volta}} {{small|(1970–1982)}}}}

{{FIFAt|BDI| | | | | | | | | |

n|W|w|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CAM| | | | |

n|n
n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|CAM}}{{efn-lr|Known as the {{fb|CAM|1970|name=Khmer Republic}} in 1974, and then as {{fb|CAM|1975|name=Kampuchea}} until 1990.}}}}

{{FIFAt|CMR| | | | | | | |w|n|n|n|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|n|Q|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CAN| | |

n|w
n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|H|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|CPV| | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CAY| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|CTA| | | | | | |

w|d
n|w|w|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CHA| | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CHI|i|w

b|n|n|H|Q|n|Q|n|Q|n|n|s|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|CHN|

n
n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|TPE| | | | |w|w

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC{{efn-ur|Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.}}|team={{fb|TPE}} {{small|(1982–)}}
{{fb|ROC}} {{small|(1954–1978)}}}}

{{FIFAt|COL| | |w

n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL{{efn-ur|Entered the North and Central American zone in 1938.}}}}

{{FIFAt|COM| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|CGO| | | | | | | |s

n|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|COK| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|CRC

w
s|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|CRO| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Q|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|CUB| |n|b|n|s

n|s
n|n
n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|CUW|

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF|team={{fb|CUW}} {{small|(2014–)}}
{{fb|ANT}} {{small|(1962–2010)}}
{{fb|Territory of Curaçao|name=Territory of Curaçao}} {{small|(1934–1958)}}}}

{{FIFAt|CYP| | | | | |w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA{{efn-ur|Entered the African/Asian zone in 1958.}}}}

{{FIFAt|CZE

Q|Q
Q|Q|Q|n|Q|n|n|Q|n|Q|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|CZE}} {{small|(1998–)}}
{{fb|TCH|name=Representation of Czechs and Slovaks|wrap=yes}} {{small|(1994)}}
{{fb|TCH}} {{small|(1930–1994)}}}}

{{FIFAt|DEN

n
n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|n|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|DJI| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|DMA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|DOM| | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|COD| | | | | | |

s|Q|w|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF|team={{fb|COD}} {{small|(1998–)}}
{{fb|ZAI}} {{small|(1974–1998)}}{{efn-lr|Known as {{fb|COD|1966|name=Congo-Kinshasa}} until 1970.}}}}

{{FIFAt|GDR| | | |

n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n| | | | | | | | | | | | c=defunct{{efn-ur|name=European|Participated in the European zone.}}}}

{{FIFAt|TLS| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|ECU

w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|n|Q|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|EGY

Q|w
n|w|w|w
n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|t|t|t| c=CAF{{efn-ur|Entered the European zone in 1938 and 1954.}}|team={{fb|EGY}}{{efn-lr|Entered in 1962 as the {{fb|UAR}} representing a political union with Syria. After that continued independently but retained the name "United Arab Republic" until 1970.}}}}

{{FIFAt|SLV| | |w

Q|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|ENG| | | |Q|Q|Q|Q|H|C|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|EQG| | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|ERI| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|w|n|n|n|w|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|EST

n|n| | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SWZ| | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF|team={{fb|SWZ}} {{small|(2022–)}}
{{fb|SWZ|name=Swaziland}} {{small|(1982–2018)}}}}

{{FIFAt|ETH| | | |

s|n|w|n|n|n|n|n
n
n|n|d|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF{{efn-ur|Entered the European zone in 1962.}}}}

{{FIFAt|FRO| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|FIJ| | | | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|FIN

n|W|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|FRA|i|Q|H|n|Q|Q|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|H|C|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|GAB| | | | | | | |w

w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|GAM| | | | | | | |

n|n
w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|GEO| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|GER

Q|Q|s|Q|C|Q|Q|Q|H|C|Q|Q|Q|C|Q|Q|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|GER}} {{small|(1994–)}}
{{fb|FRG}} {{small|(1950–1990)}}
{{fb|GER|1935}} {{small|(1930–1938)}}}}

{{FIFAt|GHA| | | | | | |n|w|n|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|GIB| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|GRE

W|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|GRN| | | | | | | | | | | |n|w

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|GUM| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|w|w
n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|GUA| | |

n|n|s|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|GUI| | | | | | | |w|s|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|D|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|GNB| | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|GUY| | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|d|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|HAI| |n

n
n|Q|n|n|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|HON| | |

n|n|n|n|w|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|HKG| | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|HUN

Q|Q
b|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|ISL| | |

s|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|IND| | | |B|s

w
n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|IDN| | |b|w

W|w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|d|n|t|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|IDN}}{{efn-lr|Entered as the {{fb|DEI}} in 1938.}}}}

{{FIFAt|IRN| | |

n|Q|w|d|n|n|Q|n|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|IRQ| | | |

n|w|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|ISR

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA{{efn-ur|Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958, the Asian/Oceanian zone in 1970–1978, and the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.}}|team={{fb|ISR}} {{small|(1950–)}}
{{fb|PAL|wrap=yes}} {{small|(1930–1938)}}}}

{{FIFAt|ITA

Q|C|C|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|C|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|CIV| | | | | | |

n|n
n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|JAM| | | | | | | |n|n|w|n

d|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|JPN

w|s|n
n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|JOR| | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|KAZ| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA{{efn-ur|Entered the Asian zone in 1998–2002.}}}}

{{FIFAt|KEN| | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|KOS| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|KUW| | | | | | |

n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|D|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|KGZ| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|LAO| | | |

n|n
n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|LVA

n| | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|LBN| |

w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|LES| | | | | | |

n
n|w|w
n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|LBR| | | | | | | |w

n|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|LBY| | | | | | | |w|n

n|W|n|W|d
n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|LIE| | | | | | | | | |

w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|LTU

n|n| | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|LUX

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|MAC| | | | | | | | | | | |n|n

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|MAD| | | | | | |

w
n|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF|team={{fb|MAD}}{{efn-lr|Known as the {{fb|MAD|name=Malagasy Republic}} until 1974.}}}}

{{FIFAt|MWI| | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MAS| | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|MAS}}{{efn-lr|Preceded by {{fb|Malaya}} until 1962.}}}}

{{FIFAt|MDV| | | | | | | | | | | | | |w

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|MLI| | | | | | | |w

w|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MLT| | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|MTN| | | | | | | | |

n
w|n|n|n|n
n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MRI| | | | | | |

n
n|s
n|n|n|n|w|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MEX|i|n|w|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|H|n|Q|n|H|d|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|H|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|MDA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|MNG| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|MNE| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|MSR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|MAR| | | | | | |n|w|Q|W|n|n|Q|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|t|H|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MOZ| | | | | | | | | | | |n

s|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|MYA| | | |w

w
w|s|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|MYA}}{{efn-lr|Known as {{fb|Burma|1948}} until 1990.}}}}

{{FIFAt|NAM| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|NEP| | | | | | | | |

n|n
n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|NED

Q|Q
n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|NCL| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|NZL| | |

n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|NCA| | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|NIG| | | | | | |

n|n|w
n|w
n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|NGA| | | | | | |n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|PRK| | | | | |

Q|d|n|w|n|n|n|n
n|Q|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|MKD| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|MKD}} {{small|(2022–)}}
{{fb|MKD|name=Macedonia}} {{small|(1998–2018)}}}}

{{FIFAt|NIR| | | |n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|NIR}} {{small|(1954–)}}
{{fb|EIR}} {{small|(1950)}}}}

{{FIFAt|NOR

Q
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|OMA| | | | | | | | | | |

w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|PAK| | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|PLE| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|PAN| | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|PNG| | | | | | | |

n
n
n|n|n|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|PAR|i

b|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|n|t|H|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|PER|i|w

w|w|n|n|n|Q|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|PHI|

w
s
w
n|n
n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|POL

n|Q
w|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|POR

n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|H|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|PUR| | | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|n
n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|QAT| | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|h|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|IRL

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|IRL}} {{small|(1954–)}}
{{fb|IRL|name=Ireland}} {{small|(1950)}}
{{fb|Irish Free State}} {{small|(1930–1938)}}}}

{{FIFAt|ROU|i|Q|b

n|n|w|n|Q|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|RUS| | |

Q|Q|Q|Q|D|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|n|n|Q|H|D|s|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|RUS}} {{small|(1994–)}}
{{fb|URS}} {{small|(1950–1990)}}}}

{{FIFAt|RWA| | | | | | | | | | |

w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|SAA| | | | |n| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c=defunct{{efn-ur|name=European}}}}

{{FIFAt|SKN| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|LCA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|w|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|VIN| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF|team={{fb|VIN|wrap=yes}}}}

{{FIFAt|SAM| | | | | | | | | | | | |

w|n|n|n|n|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=OFC|team={{fb|SAM}} {{small|(2002–)}}
{{fb|WSM}} {{small|(1990–1998)}}}}

{{FIFAt|SMR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|STP| | | | | | | | | | | | |

w
n|n|w|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|KSA| | | | |

n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|t|t|H| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|SCO| | | |N|Q|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SEN| | | | | | | |w|n|n|n|n|n

n|n|Q|n|n|n|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|SRB|i|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|n|Q|n|Q|d|Q|n|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA|team={{fb|SRB}} {{small|(2010–)}}
{{fb|SCG}} {{small|(2006)}}
{{fb|FRY|name=FR Yugoslavia}} {{small|(1994–2002)}}
{{fb|YUG}} {{small|(1930–1990)}}}}

{{FIFAt|SEY| | | | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|SLE| | | | | |

n|n|n|n
w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|SGP| | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|SVK| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SVN| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|Q|n|Q|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SOL| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|SOM| | | | | | |

n
n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|RSA| | | | | | |s|d|s|s|s| | | |n|Q|Q|n|h|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|KOR| | |

Q|s|n|w|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|SSD| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|YMD| | | | | | | |

n|w| | | | | | | | | | | | c=defunct{{efn-ur|Participated in the Asian zone.}}}}

{{FIFAt|ESP

Q|s|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|Q|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|H|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SRI| | | |

w|w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|SRI}}{{efn-lr|Known as {{fb|CEY|1951}} until 1974.}}}}

{{FIFAt|SDN| | |

W|w|w|n|n|w|n|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|SUR

w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF|team={{fb|SUR}} {{small|(1978–)}}
{{fb|NGY|name=Dutch Guiana}} {{small|(1930–1974)}}}}

{{FIFAt|SWE

Q|Q|Q|n|H|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|Q|Q|n|n|Q|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SUI

Q|Q|Q|H|n|Q|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|SYR| |

W
n| |w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|D|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC{{efn-ur|Entered the European zone in 1950 and 1966.}}}}

{{FIFAt|TAH| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|TJK| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|TAN| | | | | | |

n|w|n|n
w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|THA

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|TOG| | | | | | |

n|n|n|w|w|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|TGA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|TRI| | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|TUN| | | | | | |n|w|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|TUR

w
N|Q|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA{{efn-ur|Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958.}}}}

{{FIFAt|TKM| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|TCA| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|TUV| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |\| | | | | | | c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|UGA| | | | | |

n|w|n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|UKR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|UAE| | | | | | | | | | |w

n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|USA|i|Q|w|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|H|Q|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|Q|H|t|t| c=CONCACAF}}

{{FIFAt|VIR| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=CONCACAF|team={{sort|United States Virgin Islands|{{fb|VIR}}}}}}

{{FIFAt|URU|H

b|C|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|n|n|Q|Q|n|n|Q|n|Q|Q|Q|Q|t|H|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|UZB| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=AFC}}

{{FIFAt|VAN| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |n|n|n|n|n|n|n|w|n|t|t| c=OFC}}

{{FIFAt|VEN| | | |

w
n|n|w|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CONMEBOL}}

{{FIFAt|VIE| | | | |s

n|w
n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|VIE}} {{small|(1978–)}}
{{fb|VSO}} {{small|(1954–1974)}}}}

{{FIFAt|WAL| | | |n|n|Q|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|Q|t|t|t| c=UEFA}}

{{FIFAt|YEM| | | | | | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t| c=AFC|team={{fb|YEM}} {{small|(1994–)}}
{{fb|YAR}} {{small|(1982–1990)}}}}

{{FIFAt|ZAM| | | | | | |

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|t|t|t| c=CAF}}

{{FIFAt|ZIM| | | | | | | | |n

n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|n|d|n|t|t|t| c=CAF{{efn-ur|Entered the Asian/Oceanian zone in 1970.}}|team={{fb|ZIM}} {{small|(1982–)}}
{{fb|RHO}} {{small|(1970–1978)}}}}
style="line-height:1em"

! Team

! {{color|grey|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

{{notelist-lr|30em}}

;Continental allocations

{{notelist-ur}}

=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.

class="wikitable"
Key
style="background:#cfc;"

| Team has qualified for the main tournament through a qualifying process

style="background:#ccccff;"

| Team has qualified for the main tournament only by walkover (Cuba, and Indonesia as Dutch East Indies)

style="background:#e3c7ab;"

| Team has qualified for the main tournament by walkover but has not participated there because it withdrew (India)

style="background:#ffffbb;"

| Team has qualified for the main tournament only automatically as host (Qatar)

Team has not qualified for the main tournament
style="background:#ccffff;"

| Defunct team that qualified for the main tournament (East Germany)

style="background:#C3C3C3;"

| Defunct team that never qualified for the main tournament (Saar and South Yemen)

style="background:#ffcccc;"

| 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 November 2024.

class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align:center"
rowspan="2"| Rank
(unoff.)

!rowspan="2"| Team

!colspan="2"| Qualifying attempts

!rowspan="2"| Appearances
in the finals

!colspan="7"| Overall qualification record

!colspan="2"| Points

!rowspan="2"| Confederation

width=20| Total

!width=20| Successful

!width=20| {{tooltip|Pld|Played}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|W|Won}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|D|Drawn}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|L|Lost}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|GF|Goals for}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|GA|Goals against}}

!width=20| {{tooltip|GD|Goal difference}}

!width=40| Total

!width=40| {{tooltip|Avg|Average points per game}}

style="background:#cfc"

| 1

|align=left| {{fb|MEX}}

| 17

14181891214127453134+3194042.138CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 2

|align=left| {{fb|KOR}}

| 16

1011163103421833196+2353512.153AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 3

|align=left| {{fb|AUS}}

| 16

661731024427435130+3053502.023AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 4

|align=left| {{fb|IRN}}

| 12

66158101381934498+2463412.158AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 5

|align=left| {{fb|CRC}}

| 18

66189954747316184+1323321.757CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 6

|align=left| {{fb|ARG}}

| 15

1318165944328283142+1413251.970CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 7

|align=left| {{fb|JPN}}

| 16

6715094282835193+2583102.067AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 8

|align=left| {{fb|BRA}}

| 14

132213987361629786+2112972.137CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 9

|align=left| {{fb|URU}}

| 18

1114184825151257195+622971.614CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 10

|align=left| {{fb|KSA}}

| 13

66148863626281112+1692941.986AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 11

|align=left| {{fb|NED}}

| 19

1111135892620329101+2282932.170UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 12

|align=left| {{fb|USA}}

| 19

912168844044287191+962921.738CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 13

|align=left| {{fb|ESP}}

| 19

151612587261229181+2102872.296UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 14

|align=left| {{fb|POR}}

| 21

88149833531284146+1382841.906UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 15

|align=left| {{fb|ENG}}

| 17

141612284271131470+2442792.287UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 16

|align=left| {{fb|SWE}}

| 20

1112141862134280129+1512791.979UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 17

|align=left| {{fb|SRB}}
{{fb|SCG}}
{{fb|FR Yugoslavia|name=FR Yugoslavia}}
{{fb|YUG}}

| 20

1213136813322287123+1642762.029UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 18

|align=left| {{fb|BEL}}

| 20

1314141832731302147+1552761.957UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 19

|align=left| {{fb|CZE}}
{{fb|TCH|name=Representation of Czechs and Slovaks}}
{{fb|TCH}}

| 20

99147793137280126+1542681.823UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 20

|align=left| {{fb|GER}}
{{fb|FRG}}
{{fb|GER|1935}}

| 15

15201048318332874+2542672.567UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 21

|align=left| {{fb|RUS}}
{{fb|URS}}

| 16

101112580242124681+1652642.112UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 22

|align=left| {{fb|ITA}}

| 17

141811878301023472+1622642.237UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 23

|align=left| {{fb|PAR}}

| 19

68184734269221222−12611.418CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 24

|align=left| {{fb|COL}}

| 18

66182675857215188+272591.423CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 25

|align=left| {{fb|HON}}

| 16

33166714451271201+702571.548CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 26

|align=left| {{fb|CHN}}

| 13

11138772239284121+1632531.833AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 27

|align=left| {{fb|SLV}}

| 15

22162713457263188+752471.525CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 28

|align=left| {{fb|ROU}}

| 18

57138722937238142+962451.775UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 29

|align=left| {{fb|SUI}}

| 20

1112140683735220150+702411.721UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 30

|align=left| {{fb|CHI}}

| 17

69176683672245241+42401.364CONMEBOL
style="background:#cfc"

| 31

|align=left| {{fb|SCO}}

| 19

98136693037210146+642371.743UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 32

|align=left| {{fb|FRA}}

| 18

121611970262323491+1432361.983UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 33

|align=left| {{fb|DEN}}

| 16

66132673035242144+982311.750UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 34

|align=left| {{fb|TUN}}

| 16

6611665312019886+1122261.948CAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 35

|align=left| {{fb|POL}}

| 19

99128672338260154+1062241.750UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 36

|align=left| {{fb|CAN}}

| 15

23137623837215144+712241.635CONCACAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 37

|align=left| {{fb|IRQ}}

| 13

11131633434243124+1192231.702AFC
style="background:#cfc"

| 38

|align=left| {{fb|MAR}}

| 16

6612261392218584+1012221.820CAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 39

|align=left| {{fb|NGA}}

| 16

6611662351918989+1002211.905CAF
style="background:#cfc"

| 40

|align=left| {{fb|AUT}}

| 19

87134642941232155+772211.649UEFA
style="background:#cfc"

| 41

|align=left| {{fb|IRL}}
{{fb|IRL|name=Ireland}}
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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

{{reflist}}

External links

{{commons category}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20131023161459/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mencompwc/51/97/75/fs-201_19a_fwc-prel-history.pdf History of the FIFA World Cup preliminary competition (by year)]. Published by FIFA in November 2009; archived from the original by Wayback Machine on 23 October 2013.
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20081031041241/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mcwc/ip-301_11a_fwc-prelstats_8828.pdf FIFA World Cup Preliminary Competition Statistics (PDF)] (archived 31 October 2008)
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090902130947/http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/fifafacts/mcwc/fwc%5Fprel%5Fhistory%5Fby%5Fyear%5F25982.pdf FIFA World Cup Preliminary History (PDF)] (archived 2 September 2009)
  • [https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/2df8816f3b27563c/original/r6gcejmanhw27gzaa9xb-pdf.pdf FIFA World Cup 2022 Regulations]
  • [https://www.fifa.com/about-fifa/official-documents FIFA – official documents]

{{FIFA World Cup}}

{{Countries at the FIFA World Cup}}