by Matthew Adams

Created on: May 21, 2009

The FIFA World Cup is the 32-team football World Cup. Overall, all these football teams have to qualify in their region, with the exception of the host nation. Qualification formats can vary from the regions, so to look at each:

Europe

In Europe, the teams are in-groups of up to six teams. Here, they play each other twice home and away. The winner of the group qualifies automatically. Then the second placed teams are entered into two legged play-off games. Just to note, the play-offs are between eight second placed teams.

South America

In South America, there is one group of ten nations. Playing home and away, the top four teams qualify for the finals. A fifth place play-off is also available to the team just finishing outside the top four.

Africa

The final stage of qualification has five groups of four, playing home and away. The five group winners from here qualify for the finals. However, there are a few preliminary stages before these groups, along with 12 groups of four teams playing, with twelve group winners and eight runners up progressing to the final stage.

Asia

The final qualification stage here has ten nations drawn into two groups of five. As always, with home and away games played, the top two finishing teams qualify to the finals. However, previous rounds are also played before these final qualification groups.

Then, a play-off is available for the two third place finishers of the two groups. The winner of this plays off against an Oceania team.

Concacaf

This region also has a few qualification stages with preliminaries for lower ranked teams, then 12 two-leg play-offs, and three groups of four to decide the final group. The final stage has a six-team group, with the top three qualifying and a fourth place play-off against South American team.

Oceania

A more curious mix, with a few qualification stages. Only one qualifying place is available, with a final group of four teams being played. The winner of this group then gets to play-off for the World Cup finals against Asian team.

So overall, qualification is variable. However, generally groups are used with top finishing teams progressing. Then with a few play-offs for lower placed teams. Overall, 13 European teams, four South American and Asia, three Concacaf along with two further places decided by play-offs. Then, the World Cup finals are played between the 32 qualified teams.

Sources: ESPN Soccernet

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