With high-stakes matches looming for teams across the globe, qualifiers are taking center stage. While qualification systems vary in structure and challenges, they all serve the same purpose: identifying the best representatives for the World Cup. These intense contests are not only a celebration of football’s global diversity, but also a platform for teams to demonstrate their best qualities and hone their skills as they prepare for the tournament in Qatar.
European qualifying soft-launched in March, and is poised to kick into full gear this September. England and other top seeds have already taken a firm grip, while a handful of other countries are in a tight race to secure their spot.
The first phase of qualification saw 54 FIFA-affiliated nations divided into nine groups of five or six teams who played home-and-away games in a hexa-format. The top two in each group qualified for the World Cup, with the runners-up advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs. The process was interrupted in November 2023 when Eritrea withdrew from the competition.
Oceania’s unique position in global football makes its qualification system particularly challenging. The tournament has no automatic qualification spots, meaning that OFC teams must navigate a series of high-stakes and complex hurdles to qualify.
The top four OFC nations, plus New Caledonia (as the final berth), will play a two-legged playoff in October 2025 to determine the final two places at the World Cup. The draw for this round — which will include all teams ranked from the final Nations League groups in Pot 1 or 2 and the winners of the remaining OFC groups — will take place on March 28.