International qualifiers are high-stakes encounters where dreams are either realized or shattered. Spanning continents and months, they offer a window into the varying challenges of global football, while also highlighting the extraordinary skill and courage displayed by teams and fans.
Qualifying systems vary in structure and challenge, but they all exist for one purpose: to determine which national teams represent their continent at the World Cup finals. With 48 places available across four continents, competition is fierce and qualification matches often produce unforgettable moments of triumph or heartbreak.
This year, UEFA’s qualifying system has been a source of excitement as underdog nations — like Iceland and Northern Ireland — push established rivals to the limit. South America’s storied history of footballing powerhouses has been joined by a new generation of emerging contenders, while Oceania has an uphill battle due to the confederation’s lack of guaranteed spots.
The group stage in Europe — which began on March 21 with a full schedule of double-headers — features 12 groups of five or six teams, who play each other home and away in a round-robin format. The top two of each group qualify automatically, while the runners-up advance to the second round of play-offs in November 2025. The six teams in this stage (the four best Nations League group winners and the four highest-ranked non-group winner, based on their Nations League overall ranking) will then play a pair of single-leg ties to decide the final two spots.