International qualifiers are tournaments held to thin the field of teams competing in a major soccer championship. They are generally hosted by a confederation’s member nations and overseen by FIFA. The qualifying process usually involves several rounds of matches and a variety of formats. The winning team in each round gains access to the final tournament. The runners-up can gain entry through a play-off, or in some cases if the top-ranked runner-up cannot qualify, an intercontinental playoff spot can be awarded.
Qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Europe is underway, with 12 groups of four or five teams playing home and away matches. The group winners will qualify for the World Cup directly, while the best two runners-up will advance to the play-offs with four Nations League teams.
In South America, the hosts (Canada, Mexico, and the United States) automatically qualify, but the remaining spots will be determined through group stages and the traditional play-off system. The competition in the region is as strong as ever, with traditional powerhouses battling emerging teams for one of the six direct spots and two intercontinental playoff berths allocated to the region.
The Oceania qualification process began in March – with some teams not even playing their first qualifier yet due to their participation in UEFA’s Nations League – and will conclude in November. The winners of each of the eight groups will qualify for the World Cup, with New Zealand and the winner of a play-off between the two best runners-up gaining access to the intercontinental play-offs with teams from Africa, Asia, and South America.