From the roar of the crowd to the tension in the air, international qualifiers are always a thrilling spectacle. For fans, the stakes are high – a win can add prestige and boost morale, while for players it’s the pinnacle of their career. With the best players in the world battling it out to secure a spot at the World Cup, it’s no wonder that qualifiers are such riveting viewing.
The different regions have their own unique qualifying processes, with the format depending on the size of the confederation and the competitive landscape. UEFA, for example, uses a round-robin system where teams play each other twice – home and away – with the top two nations in each group advancing to a playoff stage. In Africa (CAF), on the other hand, there are a number of preliminary rounds that whittle down the number of participants before the main group stage begins.
Oceania (OFC) has the fewest guaranteed spots and often utilizes inter-confederation playoffs to determine its final spot at the World Cup. For example, this cycle saw New Zealand face Fiji and Samoa in a two-legged playoff to decide which nation will join them in the next edition of the tournament.
There are, however, a few teams that defy expectations and make a run towards the World Cup, often fueled by a new coach or a revamped squad. These surprise contenders can provide an extra element of excitement as they battle it out to make the final cut.