FIFA World Cup qualifiers

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

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.

Founded1933; 93 years ago (1933)
RegionInternational (FIFA)
Teams211 (currently eligible)
215 (overall)
WebsiteOfficial website
Quick facts Founded, Region ...
FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Founded1933; 93 years ago (1933)
RegionInternational (FIFA)
Teams211 (currently eligible)
215 (overall)
WebsiteOfficial website
2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Close

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[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 N/a[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] N/a323432375154696997105107119111145
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. [a]
    Berths were given by invitation only.
  2. [b]
    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. [c]
    None entered.
  4. [d]
    No teams from the region were members of FIFA before 1950.
  5. [e]
    Austria withdrew after having qualified.
  6. [f]
    India, Scotland and Turkey withdrew after having qualified. France initially accepted to participate as a replacement but then withdrew as well.
  7. [g]
    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. [h]
    Only includes teams that played at least one qualifying match that was not annulled.
  9. [i]
    Including host South Africa and non-FIFA member Tuvalu, which participated because other tournaments also served as World Cup qualifiers.
  10. [j]
    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
1930 No qualification was held all the teams were invitees.
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
 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]
 Slovakia[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. [a]
    Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation.
  2. [b]
    Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing.
  3. [c]
    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. [d]
    Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934 qualification before playing. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.
  5. [e]
    Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals.
  6. [f]
    Withdrew from the 1938 qualification before playing.
  7. [g]
    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. [h]
    Participated in the 1930 World Cup by invitation. Withdrew from the 1934, 1950, and 1954 qualifications before playing.
  9. [i]
    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. [j]
    Qualified by walkover for the 1938 finals (entered as the  Dutch East Indies). Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.
  11. [k]
    Withdrew from the 1958 qualification before playing.
  12. [l]
    Withdrew from the 1950 qualification before playing.
  13. [m]
    Withdrew from the 1966 qualification before playing.
  14. [n]
    Withdrew from the 1954 and 1958 qualifications before playing.
  15. [o]
    Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing (entered as the  Malagasy Republic).
  16. [p]
    Qualified by walkover for the 1950 finals, and subsequently withdrew from participation. Withdrew from the 1974 qualification before playing.
  17. [q]
    Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing.
  18. [r]
    Withdrew from the 1986 qualification before playing.
  19. [s]
    Withdrew from the 1966 and 1974 qualifications before playing.
  20. [t]
    Withdrew during the 1986 qualification and had all its matches of that campaign annulled.
  21. [u]
    Withdrew from the 1974 and 1978 qualifications before playing (entered in 1974 as  Ceylon).
  22. [v]
    Withdrew from the 1994 qualification before playing.
  23. [w]
    Withdrew from the 1990 qualification before playing.
  24. [x]
    Withdrew from the 1950 and 1974 qualifications before playing.
  25. [y]
    Withdrew from the 1998 qualification before playing.
  26. [z]
    Withdrew from the 1978 qualification before playing. Was disqualified from the 1982 qualification before playing.
  27. [aa]
    Withdrew from the 1966, 1994 and 1998 qualifications before playing.
  28. [ab]
    Withdrew from the 1950, 1994, and 2002 qualifications before playing (entered in 1950 as  Burma).
  29. [ac]
    Withdrew from the 2010 qualification before playing.
Successor and renamed teams
  1. [A]
    The Czechoslovakia team was officially renamed as the Representation of Czechs and Slovaks during the 1994 qualification and was then succeeded by both the Czech Republic and Slovakia from the 1998 qualification.
  2. [B]
    Germany was succeeded from the 1954 qualification by West Germany, which in turn was succeeded by the reunified Germany from the 1994 qualification.
  3. [C]
    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. [D]
    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. [E]
    Mandatory Palestine was succeeded by Israel from the 1950 qualification.
  6. [F]
    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. [G]
    Ireland was succeeded by Northern Ireland from the 1954 qualification.
  8. [H]
    The Soviet Union was succeeded by Russia from the 1994 qualification.
  9. [I]
    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. [J]
    Dutch Guiana was succeeded by Suriname from the 1978 qualification.
  11. [K]
    Rhodesia was succeeded by Zimbabwe from the 1982 qualification.
  12. [L]
    South Vietnam was succeeded by Vietnam from the 1994 qualification.
  13. [M]
    Dahomey was renamed as Benin from the 1986 qualification.
  14. [N]
    Zaire was renamed as DR Congo during the 1998 qualification.
  15. [O]
    The Republic of China became officially known as Chinese Taipei from the 1982 qualification.
  16. [P]
    Upper Volta was renamed as Burkina Faso from the 1990 qualification.
  17. [Q]
    North Yemen was succeeded by Yemen from the 1994 qualification.
  18. [R]
    Swaziland was renamed as Eswatini from the 2022 qualification.
  19. [S]
    Macedonia was renamed as North Macedonia from the 2022 qualification.
  20. [T]
    Western Samoa was renamed as Samoa from the 2002 qualification.
Other notes
  1. [1]
    Italy had to qualify for the 1934 tournament despite being the host.
  2. [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 wnnnQQnnnnnQQnnQ CAF
 American Samoa nnnnnwn OFC
 Andorra nnnnnnn UEFA
 Angola nnnnnQnnnnn CAF
 Anguilla nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Antigua and Barbuda n——nnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Argentina ibww—QQQnQHCQCQQQQQQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Armenia nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Aruba —nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Australia nnQnnnnnnnQQQQQQ AFC[II]
 Austria —QwwQQ—nnnQQnQnQnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Azerbaijan nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Bahamas ———————wnnnwnnn CONCACAF
 Bahrain ——nnnwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Bangladesh ——nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Barbados ——n—w—nnnnnndnn CONCACAF
 Belarus nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Belgium iQQwQnnnQnnQQQQQQnnQQQQ UEFA
 Belize s—nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Benin (1978–)
 Dahomey (1970–1974)		 —n——n—n—nnnnnnn CAF
 Bermuda —n—————nwnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Bhutan ——w—nnn AFC
 Bolivia i——bsnnnnnnnnnQnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Bosnia and Herzegovina nnnnQnn UEFA
 Botswana ———n—nnnnnnn CAF
 Brazil ibbHQQCCQCQQQQQCQQQHQQQ CONMEBOL
 British Virgin Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Brunei ———n———n——snnn AFC
 Bulgaria —wn—nnQQQQnnQnQQnnnnnnn UEFA
 Burkina Faso (1986–)
 Upper Volta (1970–1982)		 ——n——nwnnnnnnnn CAF
 Burundi ————nwwnnnnnn CAF
 Cambodia[i] ——————————nn—nnnnn AFC
 Cameroon wnnnQnQQQQnQQnQn CAF
 Canada ——nw—nnnnQnnnnnnnnQH CONCACAF
 Cape Verde ———nnnnnnQ CAF
 Cayman Islands nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Central African Republic ———wd————nwwnnnn CAF
 Chad —————————nnnnnnn CAF
 Chile iw—bnnHQnQnQnnsQnnQQnnn CONMEBOL
 China ————n—————nnnnnQnnnnnn AFC
 Chinese Taipei (1982–)
 Republic of China (1954–1978)		 ww————nnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC[III]
 Colombia w——nQnnnnnnQQQnnnQQnQ CONMEBOL[IV]
 Comoros nnnnn CAF
 Congo s—nn———nnnnnnnnn CAF
 Cook Islands nnnnnnwn OFC
 Costa Rica ——w—snnnnnnnnQnnQQnQQQn CONCACAF
 Croatia QQQnQQQQ UEFA
 Cuba nbns——ns—nn—nwnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Curaçao (2014–)
 Netherlands Antilles (1962–2010)
 Territory of Curaçao (1934–1958)		 ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnQ CONCACAF
 Cyprus wnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[V]
 Czech Republic (1998–)
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks (1994)
 Czechoslovakia (1930–1994)		 —QQ—QQQnQnnQnQnnnQnnnn UEFA
 Denmark —————n—nnnnnQnnQQnQnQQ UEFA
 Djibouti —n—nnnnn CAF
 Dominica nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Dominican Republic —————n———nnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 DR Congo (1998–)
 Zaire (1974–1998)[ii]		 —sQwn—nnnnnnnnn CAF
 East Germany —nnnnQnnnn defunct[VI]
 Timor-Leste nnnnn AFC
 Ecuador ———w——nnnnnnnnnnQQnQnQQ CONMEBOL
 Egypt[iii] —Qw—nwww—nnnnQnnnnnnQnQ CAF[VII]
 El Salvador w—————QnnQnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 England QQQQHCnnQQQnQQQQQQQQ UEFA
 Equatorial Guinea ———nnnnnnn CAF
 Eritrea nnwnnnw CAF
 Estonia —nnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Eswatini (2022–)
 Swaziland (1982–2018)		 ———nnnnnnnnn CAF
 Ethiopia —snwnnnnn—n—nndnnnn CAF[VIII]
 Faroe Islands nnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Fiji ————n—nnnnnnnnnn OFC
 Finland ——nwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 France iQHnQQnQnnQQQnnHCQQQQQQ UEFA
 Gabon w—w———nnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Gambia ———nn—wnnnnnnnn CAF
 Georgia nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Germany (1994–)
 West Germany (1950–1990)
 Germany (1930–1938)		 —QQsQCQQQHCQQQCQQHQQQQQ UEFA
 Ghana nwnnnwnnnnnQQQnQQ CAF
 Gibraltar nnn UEFA
 Greece —wn—nnnnnnnnnnQnnnQQnnn UEFA
 Grenada nw——nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guam —nww—nnn AFC
 Guatemala ——nnsnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Guinea wsnnnnnnndnnnnnn CAF
 Guinea-Bissau ——nnnnnnnn CAF
 Guyana —nnnnnndnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Haiti n——n———nQnnn—nnnnnnnnQ CONCACAF
 Honduras ———nnnnwQnnnnnnQQnnn CONCACAF
 Hong Kong ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Hungary —QQ—bQQQnnQQQnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Iceland —sn———nnnnnnnnnnnQnn UEFA
 India Bs————w——nwnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Indonesia[iv] bw—ww——nnnnnnnnnnndnn AFC
 Iran ——————nQwdnnQnQnQQQQ AFC
 Iraq —————nwnQnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Israel (1950–)
 Palestine, British Mandate (1930–1938)		 —nnnnnnnQnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA[IX]
 Italy —QCCQnQQQQQQCHQQQQQQnn UEFA
 Ivory Coast ——nn—nnnnnQQQnnQ CAF
 Jamaica nnwn—dnnQnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Japan ——wsn—n—nnnnnnnQHQQQQQQ AFC
 Jordan ———————nnnnnnnnnnQ AFC
 Kazakhstan nnnnnnnn UEFA[X]
 Kenya ———nnnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Kosovo nn UEFA
 Kuwait ——nnQnnnnnnnndnn AFC
 Kyrgyzstan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Laos ————————————nn—nnnn AFC
 Latvia ——nnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lebanon ——————————w—nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Lesotho ——n—nww——nnnnnnn CAF
 Liberia w———nnnwnnnnnnnn CAF
 Libya wn—nwnwd—nnnnnnn CAF
 Liechtenstein ————wnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Lithuania —nnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Luxembourg —nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Macau nn—nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Madagascar[v] ——w—nn—nnnnnnnnn CAF
 Malawi ——nnnnwnnnnnnnn CAF
 Malaysia[vi] ————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Maldives w—nnnnnnnn AFC
 Mali w——————wwnnnnnnn CAF
 Malta ———nnnnnnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Mauritania —n———wnnnn—nnn CAF
 Mauritius ——n——ns—nnnnwnnn CAF
 Mexico inwQQQQQHnQnHdQQQQQQQQH CONCACAF
 Moldova nnnnnnnn UEFA
 Mongolia nnnnnnn AFC
 Montenegro nnnnn UEFA
 Montserrat nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Morocco nwQwnnQnQQnnnnQQQH CAF
 Mozambique n—snnnnnnnnn CAF
 Myanmar[vii] w——————————w—wsnnnnn AFC
 Namibia nnnnnnnnn CAF
   Nepal ———nn—nnwnnnnn AFC
 Netherlands —QQ——nnnnQQnnQQQnQQQnQQ UEFA
 New Caledonia nnnnn OFC
 New Zealand —————nnnQnnnnnnQnnnQ OFC
 Nicaragua ——————————nnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Niger ———nnw—nw—nnnnnn CAF
 Nigeria nwnnnnnnQQQnQQQnn CAF
 North Korea —Qdnwnnnn——nQnnwn AFC
 North Macedonia (2022–)
 Macedonia (1998–2018)		 nnnnnnn UEFA
 Northern Ireland (1954–)
 Ireland (1950)		 nnQnnnnnQQnnnnnnnnn UEFA
 Norway ——Q—nnnnnnnnnnQQnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Oman —wnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Pakistan ——————————nnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Palestine nnnnnnn AFC
 Panama ———————nnnnnnnnnnQnQ CONCACAF
 Papua New Guinea ———————n—n—nnnn OFC
 Paraguay i——bnQnnnnnnQnnQQQQnnnQH CONMEBOL
 Peru iw—wwnnnQnQQnnnnnnnnQnn CONMEBOL
 Philippines ——w———s—w—————nn——nnnn AFC
 Poland —nQ—wnnnnQQQQnnnQQnnQQ UEFA
 Portugal —nnnnnnQnnnnQnnnQQQQQQQH UEFA
 Puerto Rico ———n——nnnnn—nnnnn CONCACAF
 Qatar —nnnnnnnnnnnHQ 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—nnnnnnnn CAF
 Saar n defunct[VI]
 Saint Kitts and Nevis nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Saint Lucia nnnnnnnwn CONCACAF
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines nnnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Samoa (2002–)
 Western Samoa (1990–1998)		 —wnnnnnnwn OFC
 San Marino nnnnnnnnn UEFA
 São Tomé and Príncipe —w—nnwnnnn CAF
 Saudi Arabia —————nnnnQQQQnnQQQH AFC
 Scotland wQQnnnQQQQQnQnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Senegal wnnnnn—nnQnnnQQQ CAF
 Serbia (2010–)
 Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
 FR Yugoslavia (1994–2002)
 Yugoslavia (1930–1990)		 innQQQQnnQnQnQdQnQQnQQn UEFA
 Seychelles ———nnnnnnn CAF
 Sierra Leone ———nnnn—wnnnnnnnn CAF
 Singapore ——————nnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Slovakia (1998–)
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks (1994)
 Czechoslovakia (1930–1994)		 —QQ—QQQnQnnQnQnnnnQnnn UEFA
 Slovenia nQnQnnnn UEFA
 Solomon Islands nnnnnnnnn OFC
 Somalia ————n————nnnnnnn CAF
 South Africa sdsssnQQnHnnnQ CAF
 South Korea —QsnwnnnnQQQQHQQQQQQ AFC
 South Sudan nnn CAF
 South Yemen ————nw defunct[XI]
 Spain —QsQnnQQnnQHQQQQQQQQQQQH UEFA
 Sri Lanka[viii] —————ww———nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Sudan ——wwwnnwnnnwnnnnnnnn CAF
 Suriname (1978–)
 Dutch Guiana (1930–1974)		 ——w———nnnnnnn—nnnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Sweden —QQQnHnnQQQnnQQnQQnnQn UEFA
  Switzerland —QQQHnQQnnnnnnQnnQQQQQQ UEFA
 Syria —w—nw—nnnnnnnnnndnnn AFC[XII]
 Tahiti nnnnnnnnn OFC
 Tajikistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Tanzania ——nwnn—wnnnnnnnn CAF
 Thailand —————————nnnnnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Togo ——nnnwwnnnQnnnnn CAF
 Tonga nnnnnnwn OFC
 Trinidad and Tobago ————nnnnnnnnnnQnnnnn CONCACAF
 Tunisia nwnnQnnnnQQQnnQQQ CAF
 Turkey —w—wQwnnnnnnnnnnQnnnnn UEFA[XIII]
 Turkmenistan nnnnnnnn AFC
 Turks and Caicos Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Tuvalu \ OFC
 Uganda ————nwnnwnnnnnnnn CAF
 Ukraine nnQnnnn UEFA
 United Arab Emirates w—nQnnnnnnnnn AFC
 United States iQwQnnnnnnnnnQHQQQQQnQH CONCACAF
 U.S. Virgin Islands nnnnnnn CONCACAF
 Uruguay H——bCnQQQQnnQQnnQnQQQQQH CONMEBOL
 Uzbekistan nnnnnnnQ AFC
 Vanuatu nnnnnnnwn OFC
 Venezuela —w—nnwnnnnnnnnnnnnn CONMEBOL
 Vietnam (1978–)
 South Vietnam (1954–1974)		 s————nw———nnnnnnnnn AFC
 Wales nnQnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnQ UEFA
 Yemen (1994–)
 North Yemen (1982–1990)		 —nnnnnnnnnnn AFC
 Zambia —nnnnnnnnnnnnnnn CAF
 Zimbabwe (1982–)
 Rhodesia (1970–1978)		 n——nnnnnnnnndnn 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. [i]
    Known as the  Khmer Republic in 1974, and then as  Kampuchea until 1990.
  2. [ii]
    Known as  Congo-Kinshasa until 1970.
  3. [iii]
    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. [iv]
    Entered as the  Dutch East Indies in 1938.
  5. [v]
    Known as the  Malagasy Republic until 1974.
  6. [vi]
    Preceded by  Malaya until 1962.
  7. [vii]
    Known as  Burma until 1990.
  8. [viii]
    Known as  Ceylon until 1974.
Continental allocations
  1. [I]
    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. [II]
    Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–2006.
  3. [III]
    Entered the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.
  4. [IV]
    Entered the North and Central American zone in 1938.
  5. [V]
    Entered the African/Asian zone in 1958.
  6. [VI]
    Participated in the European zone.
  7. [VII]
    Entered the European zone in 1938 and 1954.
  8. [VIII]
    Entered the European zone in 1962.
  9. [IX]
    Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958, the Asian/Oceanian zone in 1970–1978, and the Oceanian zone in 1986–1990.
  10. [X]
    Entered the Asian zone in 1998–2002.
  11. [XI]
    Participated in the Asian zone.
  12. [XII]
    Entered the European zone in 1950 and 1966.
  13. [XIII]
    Entered the African/Asian zone in 1934 and 1958.
  14. [XIV]
    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 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 in the 2026 qualification. The table is updated to the matches played in November 2025.

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  Australia 16771771064427445132+3133622.045AFC
3  South Korea 161112167105441833998+2413592.150AFC
4  Iran 12771621033920351101+2503482.148AFC
5  Costa Rica 1866197985148334191+1413451.751CONCACAF
6  Argentina 151419171984429293145+1483381.977CONMEBOL
7  Japan 167815496292935994+2653172.058AFC
8  Netherlands 201212143952820356105+2513132.189UEFA
9  Brazil 14142314590371830492+2123072.117CONMEBOL
10  Saudi Arabia 1377154893827288116+1723051.981AFC
11  Uruguay 181215190845353262198+643051.605CONMEBOL
12  England 18151713092271133670+2663032.331UEFA
13  Spain 20161713192271231283+2293032.313UEFA
14  Portugal 2299155873632304153+1512971.916UEFA
15  Belgium 211415149863031331154+1772941.973UEFA
16  United States 19912168844044287191+962921.738CONCACAF
17  Serbia
 Serbia and Montenegro
 FR Yugoslavia
 Yugoslavia		 211213144853425296133+1632892.007UEFA
18  Czech Republic
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks
 Czechoslovakia		 2199155843239298134+1642841.832UEFA
19  Germany
 West Germany
 Germany		 1616211108818434477+2672822.564UEFA
20  Italy 18141812684301225584+1712822.238UEFA
21  Sweden 211112147862338284141+1432811.912UEFA
22  Honduras 1633174754752279203+762721.563CONCACAF
23  Paraguay 1979190764470227225+22721.432CONMEBOL
24  Slovakia
 Representation of Czechs and Slovaks
 Czechoslovakia		 2111145753535271137+1341361.862UEFA
25  Colombia 1877188696158228196+322681.426CONMEBOL
26  Russia
 Soviet Union		 16101112580242124681+1652642.112UEFA
27  Romania 1957146763040257152+1052581.767UEFA
28  China 1311142782242285125+1602561.803AFC
29   Switzerland 211213146723935234152+822551.747UEFA
30  El Salvador 1522170733562269200+692541.494CONCACAF
31  France 19131712575272325095+1552522.016UEFA
32  Scotland 20109142733138223153+702501.761UEFA
33  Tunisia 167712271312021486+1182442.000CAF
34  Denmark 1766138703236258151+1072421.754UEFA
35  Chile 1769182683876245248−32421.330CONMEBOL
36  Poland 2099136722539274161+1132411.772UEFA
37  Austria 2098142703042254159+952401.690UEFA
38  Morocco 167712766392219785+1122371.866CAF
39  Iraq 1311139663736251132+1192351.691AFC
40  Nigeria 166612266371920394+1092351.926CAF
41  Republic of Ireland
 Ireland
 Irish Free State		 2233155614747219184+352301.484UEFA
42  Ecuador 1755179624671210226−162291.279CONMEBOL
43  Qatar 1312134672641238154+842271.694AFC
44  Hungary 2089138653043246186+602251.630UEFA
45  Canada 1523137623837215144+712241.635CONCACAF
46  Egypt 164411165232319796+1012181.964CAF
47  Bulgaria 2177143632951218210+82181.524UEFA
48  Uzbekistan 811118642430222115+1072161.831AFC
49  Trinidad and Tobago 1611151603457230197+332141.417CONCACAF
50  Cameroon 158810662261717577+982122.000CAF
51  United Arab Emirates 1111136612847230143+972111.551AFC
52  Greece 2133142583450177191−142081.465UEFA
53  New Zealand 1533107631826268102+1662071.935OFC
54  Guatemala 1700136573445229162+672051.507CONCACAF
55  Norway 1944144573354222191+312041.417UEFA
56  Peru 1845186524787189254−652031.091CONMEBOL
57  Turkey 1932145572860221218+31991.372UEFA
58  Ivory Coast 13449453281317970+1091861.979CAF
59  Algeria 1555107532628177105+721851.729CAF
60  Kuwait 1411115542239192119+731841.600AFC
61  Northern Ireland
 Ireland		 2033148483961162174−121831.236UEFA
62  Ghana 155510152262316376+871821.802CAF
63  Israel
 Palestine, British Mandate		 2211140493556208219−111821.300UEFA
64  Bolivia 18131864934103217361−1441810.973CONMEBOL
65  Wales 2022138483060189191−21741.215UEFA
66  Jamaica 1311128463448146159−131721.344CONCACAF
67  Croatia 877805021915555+951712.138UEFA
68  Zambia 1500110502139163107+561711.555CAF
69  Panama 1322124452950161183−221641.323CONCACAF
70  Oman 1000106462535163104+591631.538AFC
71  Haiti 1622105481938185137+481631.552CONCACAF
72  Syria 1600108462438214132+821621.500AFC
73  DR Congo
 Zaire		 12119647222715699+571621.688CAF
74  Ukraine 7118641291613273+591521.767UEFA
75  Bahrain 1200112393340136117+191501.339AFC
76  North Korea 112299422235136105+311481.495AFC
77  Senegal 14448139261612864+641431.766CAF
78  Jordan 111194402133150107+431411.500AFC
79  Finland 2000145382681152311−1591400.966UEFA
80  Guinea 140091391735130116+141341.473CAF
81  Venezuela 15001763232112152376−2241280.727CONMEBOL
82  South Africa 934663712178756+311231.864CAF
83  Burkina Faso
 Upper Volta		 10007635162512290+321211.592CAF
84  Iceland 1511122322367141242−1031190.975UEFA
85  Bosnia and Herzegovina 8117234162413888+501181.639UEFA
86  Angola 1111792930209774+231171.481CAF
87  Slovenia 822782921289788+91081.385UEFA
88  Thailand 1400103282352134174−401071.039AFC
89  Gabon 1000743013318689−31031.392CAF
90  Kenya 14008427223599115−161031.226CAF
91  Indonesia
 Dutch East Indies		 140199272151123202−791021.030AFC
92  Albania 130012228167891205−1141000.820UEFA
93  Suriname
 Dutch Guiana		 1600782717341251250981.256CONCACAF
94  Libya 12007227182779790981.361CAF
95  Togo 12118125223481103−22971.198CAF
96  Lebanon 90078242133108106+2931.192AFC
97  Hong Kong 140089251846103158−55931.045AFC
98  Cuba 14017624203298110−12921.211CONCACAF
99  Malaysia 140075261435104133−29921.227AFC
100  Curaçao
 Netherlands Antilles
 Territory of Curaçao		 18117623233094125−29921.211CONCACAF
101  Zimbabwe
 Rhodesia		 1200792223347296−24891.178CAF
102  Mali 700582416187859+19881.517CAF
103  North Macedonia
 Macedonia		 80080231938108125−17881.100UEFA
104  Latvia 10009322205198159−61860.925UEFA
105  Sudan 14008219253872120−48821.000CAF
106  Solomon Islands 9006024927122126−4811.350OFC
107  Uganda 1100582312235868−10811.397CAF
108  Singapore 13008423124989168−79810.964AFC
109  Congo 11007621173879116−37801.053CAF
110  Fiji 110060221226119116+3781.300OFC
111  Malawi 12007620183870105−35781.026CAF
112  Liberia 11007622153960105−45771.013CAF
113  East Germany 91147228178765+22741.574defunct
114  Cape Verde 71150228205257−5741.480CAF
115  Benin
 Dahomey		 10006021102963104−41731.217CAF
116  Lithuania 11008918195269145−76730.820UEFA
117  New Caledonia 60043219139953+46721.674OFC
118  Cyprus 1700132181797102331−229710.538UEFA
119  Kyrgyzstan 80056209278288−6691.232AFC
120  Tajikistan 800501910218874+14671.340AFC
121  Madagascar 1100521910236672−6671.288CAF
122  Turkmenistan 80052207257684−8671.288AFC
123  Estonia 11009218136182208−126670.728UEFA
124  Bermuda 900501812209689+7661.320CONCACAF
125  Tahiti 90049198227291−19651.327OFC
126  Vietnam
 South Vietnam		 1000651964070115−45630.969AFC
127  Namibia 9006016143059103−44621.033CAF
128  Palestine 700501613217465+9611.220AFC
129  Yemen
 North Yemen		 11006615163567108−41610.924AFC
130  Mozambique 100052179264975−26601.154CAF
131  Sierra Leone 1200571612295282−30601.053CAF
132  Armenia 8007814174764161−97590.756UEFA
133  Montenegro 500461513186571−6581.261UEFA
134  Kazakhstan 8007614164685161−76580.763UEFA
135  Ethiopia 1300591317296187−26560.949CAF
136  Belarus 8007214144472138−66560.778UEFA
137  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 900661684289195−106560.848CONCACAF
138  Niger 90044166225175−24541.227CAF
139  Saint Kitts and Nevis 80040158177775+2531.325CONCACAF
140  India 10005712172852101−49530.930AFC
141  Georgia 8007012174164116−52530.757UEFA
142  Antigua and Barbuda 1200501572873103−30521.040CONCACAF
143  Tanzania 1100491215224967−18511.041CAF
144  Dominican Republic 100037146176159+2481.297CONCACAF
145  Botswana 80046137264569−24461.000CAF
146  Rwanda 800541112315178−27450.833CAF
147  Faroe Islands 900881286852216−164440.400UEFA
148  Bangladesh 11006611104541163−122430.652AFC
149  Vanuatu 800401332481100−19421.050OFC
150  Equatorial Guinea 70038117203355−22401.053CAF
151  Barbados 100045117274286−44400.888CONCACAF
152  Nicaragua 90035132204861−13381.086CONCACAF
153  Gambia 100036107194857−9371.028CAF
154  Azerbaijan 800727164937138−99370.514UEFA
155  Burundi 80032106163241−9361.125CAF
156  Guyana 120042106264693−47360.857CONCACAF
157  Puerto Rico 11003398164259−17351.060CONCACAF
158  Papua New Guinea 6002997135349+4341.172OFC
159  Grenada 90033104196266−4341.030CONCACAF
160  Samoa
 Western Samoa		 700311111942104−62341.097OFC
161  Luxembourg 220014881013078464−386340.230UEFA
162  Maldives 80042942945143−98310.738AFC
163  Belize 8003386193869−31300.910CONCACAF
164  Guinea-Bissau 80030611132441−17290.967CAF
165  Moldova 800765145745177−132290.382UEFA
166  Lesotho 90036513182464−40280.778CAF
167  Chinese Taipei
 Republic of China		 130074846248251−203280.378AFC
168  Philippines 6003576223182−51270.771AFC
169  Afghanistan 6003076172074−54270.900AFC
170    Nepal 90046763331143−112270.587AFC
171  Saint Lucia 8002882183771−34260.929CONCACAF
172  Malta 140012041410246349−303260.217UEFA
173  Tonga 7002481152785−58251.042OFC
174  Myanmar 50030642025102−77220.733AFC
175  Chad 7002863192150−29210.750CAF
176  Eswatini
 Swaziland		 9003148192260−38200.645CAF
177  Dominica 8002855182572−47200.714CONCACAF
178  Comoros 5002054111734−17190.950CAF
179  Mongolia 7002661191777−60190.731AFC
180  Sri Lanka 90041473027103−76190.463AFC
181  Mauritania 8003239201955−36180.562CAF
182  Aruba 8002453162971−42180.750CONCACAF
183  Kosovo 3002445151444−30170.708UEFA
184  Cambodia 70038452922136−114170.447AFC
185  Central African Republic 5002644182354−31160.615CAF
186  Bahamas 7002244142180−59160.727CONCACAF
187  Andorra 70070446225202−177160.229UEFA
188  Macau 110039433217173−156150.385AFC
189  Laos 60030352224127−103140.467AFC
190  Liechtenstein 80078276925250−225130.167UEFA
191  Montserrat 7001733112059−39120.706CONCACAF
192  Mauritius 9003026222169−48120.400CAF
193  Bhutan 3001440101162−51120.857AFC
194  U.S. Virgin Islands 700213216996−87110.524CONCACAF
195  Cook Islands 7002131171766−49100.476OFC
196  Guam 4002231181187−76100.455AFC
197  American Samoa 60019311511138−127100.526OFC
198  Cayman Islands 800241616962−5390.375CONCACAF
199  Djibouti 60031232617119−10290.290CAF
200  Pakistan 100040153415148−13380.200AFC
201  South Sudan 30014077526−2170.500CAF
202  São Tomé and Príncipe 600182115945−3670.388CAF
203  Somalia 800211416645−3970.333CAF
204  Brunei 500182016574−6960.333AFC
205  British Virgin Islands 700200515865−5750.250CONCACAF
206  Turks and Caicos Islands 700151212769−6250.333CONCACAF
207  Saar 100411248−441.000defunct
208  Eritrea 50010037420−1630.300CAF
209  Anguilla 700200317386−8330.150CONCACAF
210  Seychelles 700260224899−9120.077CAF
211  San Marino 90084028214395−38120.024UEFA
212  South Yemen 100201147−310.500defunct
213  Tuvalu 1004013222−2010.250OFC
214  Timor-Leste 500180018687−8100.000AFC
215  Gibraltar 30028002810118−10800.000UEFA
Close

All-time top scorers

As of 18 November 2025[2]
Active players are highlighted in bold.
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1 Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo 41 52
2 Guatemala Carlos Ruiz 39 47
3 Argentina Lionel Messi 36 72
4 Iran Ali Daei 35 51
5 Poland Robert Lewandowski 34 44
6 Bosnia and Herzegovina Edin Džeko 30 44
7 New Zealand Chris Wood 29 31
8 Iran Sardar Azmoun 29 41
9 Uruguay Luis Suárez 29 64
10 Iran Karim Bagheri 28 29
11 Japan Kazuyoshi Miura 27 25
12 United Arab Emirates Ali Mabkhout 26 33
13 Ukraine Andriy Shevchenko 26 40
14 England Harry Kane 25 22
15 Australia Tim Cahill 25 37
16 Honduras Carlos Pavón 25 37
17 Iran Mehdi Taremi 24 44
18 Netherlands Memphis Depay 23 23
19 Mexico Jared Borgetti 23 24
20 South Korea Heung-Min Son 23 47
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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

External links

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