With just a handful of spots at next summer’s FIFA World Cup still up for grabs, international qualifiers are taking center stage around the globe. These intense contests serve to not only determine who plays in the final tournament, but also showcase the best talent that the game has to offer. And while qualification systems across the continents differ, they all aim to do the same: identify the top teams for each confederation.
The European qualification process began in September 2024, and is set to continue with double-headers in June, September, October and November before wrapping up in December. The 12 group winners qualify automatically, while second-placed teams move on to the second round of play-offs.
Sixteen nations (twelve group runners-up plus four of the best Nations League group winners, based on their overall ranking that finished outside the top two in their qualifying groups) are drawn into one of four paths, playing a single round of two-legged play-off ties (semifinals followed by finals). The winner of each path qualifies for the World Cup.
Meanwhile, in Asia, the first round of qualifications concluded Tuesday with Japan and Iran clinching their places in the next stage. The remaining eight countries — including Iraq, Oman and Saudi Arabia — will advance to the fourth round. The group winners and runners-up of each of the four groups will then compete in a two-legged tie to decide the two Asian qualifiers for the interconfederation playoffs.
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