A series of competitive matches that a national association football team must play in order to qualify for one of the berths at the final tournament of the FIFA World Cup. International qualifiers are contested within each of the six FIFA continental zones, AFC (Asia), CAF (Africa), CONCACAF (North and Central America and the Caribbean), OFC (Oceania), and UEFA (Europe).
Generally, qualifying competitions are structured with a series of groups or knock-out ties. If teams are equal on the basis of overall record and goal difference, then a play-off match, usually over two legs, will be played on neutral ground. Such a tie can be hosted by either team, depending on the circumstances.
In a reversal of previous practice, the group winners will be awarded their berths in the 2026 World Cup, while the runners-up will face each other in a play-off tie. However, if the top-ranked team in a group also holds one of the four lowest overall rankings, then that team will qualify for the World Cup directly.
Despite finishing in fifth place, Japan will qualify for the World Cup courtesy of their victory over China in Round 3. Iraq and Oman will join them in Round 4, which is to be played on home and away dates in October. Third-placed Qatar will host the other two groups.