International qualifiers may not attract the same level of media attention as a big-name league match, but they still have a lot to offer the fans who attend them. They show the strength of national teams who compete to secure a place in the biggest tournament in world football. And they are a reminder that the journey to the World Cup is an ever-changing adventure, with new teams emerging as surprise underdogs and seasoned veterans testing themselves again.
The World Cup qualifiers are run by FIFA’s six confederations: AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). Each of these regions has its own qualification process, based on its own rules and traditions, which have been refined through years of experience.
In Asia, a number of teams are in strong positions to qualify automatically for the 2026 finals. Japan clinched their spot in Round 3 with a win over China, while Iran and Iraq also secured spots. The remaining two spots in Asia will be determined in the inter-confederation playoffs, with four nations (the top team from each group and the best Nations League group runners-up) facing off in a series of single-match play-off matches to determine their fate. The four path winners will then qualify directly for the World Cup.