The FIFA World Cup qualifiers are countries selected by a selection process. It is conducted by FIFA. The national organisation of football teams fight to qualify for one of the 32 berths at the FIFA World Cup final match. However, berths will expand to 48 at the 2026 Russia one.
Qualifying matches take place within the six FIFA continental zones. teams take part in arranging the matches of their zone. These are AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe). However, for each World Cup, FIFA decides the number of places in the finals allocated to each of the zones. It is based on the numbers and relative strengths of the teams.
However, the host does not have to take part in the qualification process. They receive automatic berth selection. It has generally happened with the immediate past match title holder. All other berth holders are to play on a stand alone selection round achievement without regard to previous football wins.
The current qualifying process is the 2022 qualification, started in 2019 and finishes in 2022. Here you can find the full list of FIFA world cup qualifiers from each country.
Table of Contents
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Rules
The FIFA World Cup takes place every four years. Therefore, as a general rule, every union which is part of FIFA may participate in the FIFA World Cup with its representative team. The FIFA World Cup consists of two stages:
- a) The preliminary Stage
- b) The final Stage
The team of the Organising committee, however, automatically qualifies for the final competition. For this year, it is Qatar. The FIFA Committee decides on the format of play and match calendar as well as the group formation of the preliminary stage. However, It is based on each zone’s needs and proposals. Therefore, they form groups and/or sub-groups for the first stage. It is by seeding and drawing lots whilst taking sports and geographic factors into thinking.
The matches shall be played with one of the following three formats:
- a) It can be played in groups composed of several teams. However, it can be on a home-and-away basis. With three points for a win, one point for a draw and no points for a defeat. It is therefore known as the league format.
- b) one home and one away match per team. Known as, therefore, knockout format.
- c) In the form of a match in one of the countries of the participating member organisations or on neutral territory.
- d) Playoff matches may be played in the form of one single match in one of the countries of the participating member organisation. Or they can be played on neutral territory. However, it is known as the cup format.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Team List
Qatar will welcome 31 other teams in November as World Cup 2022 hosts. Teams have now all made their place in the competition. The last of the qualifiers have finalised in June. Therefore, this is the final list for nations playing in the upcoming Qatar 2022 World Cup.
AFC
- Qatar (Hosts)
- Iran (Third round group A winners)
- South Korea (Third round group A runners up)
- Japan (Third round group B runners up)
- Saudi Arabia (Third round group B winners)
- Australia (AFC-CONMEBOL intercontinental play-off winners)
UEFA
- Germany (Group J winners)
- Denmark ( Group F winners)
- France (Group D winners)
- Belgium (Group E winners)
- Croatia (Group H winners)
- Spain (Group B winners)
- Serbia (Group A winners)
- England (Group I winners)
- Switzerland (Group C winners)
- Netherlands (Group G winners)
- Portugal ( Second Round winner)
- Poland (Second Round winner)
- Wales (Second Round winner)
CONMEBOL
- Brazil (winners)
- Argentina (runners up)
- Ecuador (fourth)
- Uruguay (third)
CAF
- Ghana (CAF Third Round winner)
- Senegal (CAF Third Round winner)
- Tunisia (CAF Third Round winner)
- Morocco(CAF Third Round winner)
- Cameroon (CAF Third Round winner)
CONCACAF
- Canada ( first)
- Mexico (second)
- United States (third)
- Costa Rica ( intercontinental play-off with AFC)
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Europe
The European section of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification therefore acted as qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is for national teams that are members of the Union of European Football organisations (UEFA). A total of 13 slots in the final match were available for the teams. However, there were two stages of qualifying matches: Group stage and Play-off Stage.
Therefore, teams were split into ten groups of five or six. Ten group winners qualified for the World Cup from Europe. These are Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland. However, the three remaining World Cup berths were selected via the play-offs. Therefore, the nations qualified are- Poland, Portugal and Wales.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Asia
The Asian selection of the 2022 FIFA World Cup however acts as qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It is for national teams who are members of the Asian Football team (AFC). A total of 4.5 slots therefore were available for the teams. There are 4 direct slots and 1 play-off slot. Therefore, the teams selected are, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Iran, Australia and Qatar. However, it will be the debut match for Qatar itself, qualifying automatically as a host country.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers South America
The South American selection of the 2022 FIFA World Cup therefore acts as qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Qatar. However, It is for national teams which are members of the South American Football team. A total of 4.5 slots are therefore available for the teams. It is however, 4 direct slots and 1 inter-team play-off slot in the final match. The teams selected therefore are Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Ecuador. However, The fifth placed team from South America was drawn against The AFC fourth round winners (Australia). They failed to occupy the fifth place.
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Africa
The African section of the 2022 FIFA World Cup selection therefore, acted as a process for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It is for the national teams which are members of African Football (CAF). However, there are a total of five slots in the final match available for the teams. The selected nations therefore are, Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon.
CONCACAF Qualifiers
The North, Central American and Caribbean section of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification therefore acted as the selection for the 2022 World Cup. It is however, for national teams which are members of the North, Central American and Caribbean Football. 3 direct slots and 1 play-off slot in the final match are available for them. Therefore, the selected teams are – Canada, Mexico, United States, and Costa Rica.
F.A.Qs
How many teams are in the Fifa World Cup 2022?
Ans. The 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar will feature 32 teams before the field expands to 48 teams for the 2026 World Cup.
Is Qatar qualified for FIFA 2022?
Ans. All 32 teams have officially made it to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Therefore, including the host nation Qatar itself.
Which countries are already qualified for FIFA 2022?
Ans. A total of 32 countries are playing the 2022 FIFA World Cup. They however are Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, Uruguay, Croatia, Denmark, Mexico, United States, Senegal, Wales, Poland, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Switzerland, Ghana, South Korea, Japan, Cameroon, Serbia, Canada, Costa Rica, Iran.
Did India get selected for FIFA 2022?
Ans. No, India didn’t make it for this year’s Qatar World cup. However, India qualified for the FIFA e Nations Cup 2022 for the first time ever on June 11, 2022. The esports event will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark this year, from July 27 to July 30.
Can India qualify for the FIFA World Cup?
Ans. India was out of the race for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar back in 2019. However, the national team aims to make it into the global event in 2026. There There the world cup will have 48 teams, featuring 8 from Asia.
