With high-stakes matches on the horizon, international qualifiers are taking center stage around the world. These intense contests serve not only to determine who will take part in the World Cup, but also to showcase football’s diverse global talent. While qualifying systems differ, they all share a common goal of identifying the best representatives for each confederation.
UEFA’s qualifying system is one of the more structured, and it includes a round of four-team groups playing double-headers over six matchdays. Top teams secure direct World Cup berths, while the runners-up enter inter-confederation play-offs. The most successful qualifiers are those who maintain consistency and avoid costly mistakes. The intensity of UEFA’s tournaments often produces thrilling outcomes, as lesser-known nations like Iceland have proved in the past.
The 2022 qualifiers began in March with the soft-launch of European qualifying, and it will formally begin this September. England and other top seeds have taken a strong grip, but there are plenty of teams jockeying for position in the battle to secure a spot.
The Oceania pathway is the most challenging, as the confederation lacks a guaranteed spot. In this year’s tournament, teams are competing in a series of group stages and play-offs, with the winner of the final competition earning an intercontinental play-off against a team from another confederation. This structure highlights the uphill battle that many teams face, particularly smaller ones from disadvantaged regions. A study by Dartmouth University professor Andrew Bertoli compared the histories of countries that competed in World Cup qualifiers, and found that those with more military aggression — measured by their involvement in wars and international battles — have a harder time qualifying.