With more spots available than ever before, here is where World Cup qualifying stands, region by region
There will be three more qualifying periods this year — in September, October, and November — jammed into a crowded calendar that already has obliterated the offseason. You might think that would do it, but after two-plus years of eliminations, six spots will remain open. So, why not two sets of playoffs next March? One will be held in Europe, involving 16 teams; the other in the US, a six-team 'interconfederation' playoff, presented as 'a preparatory event.'
FIFA apparently likes its playoffs. But they are something to be avoided by teams such as Italy, a four-time champion that fell in playoffs in the last two campaigns. The Azzurri got off to a slow start this time, falling to Norway, 3-0, in its qualifying opener last week, leading to coach Luciano Spalletti being fired. Spalletti, though, hung around for a 2-0 victory over Moldova before being replaced by Gennaro Gattuso, who played for the 2006 champions.
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Meanwhile, FIFA's questionable reasoning that a bigger World Cup would be better could turn into a logistical nightmare. But it also opens opportunities for regions such as Africa, Asia, plus CONCACAF as hosts — regions that could end up supplying as many as 25 teams, though only 15 of their member nations are ranked among the top 48.
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Jordan and Uzbekistan capitalized on the increased openings, clinching their first-ever berths with victories last week. Australia and South Korea also celebrated advancement last week. But the Iranians, who gained a berth in March, have had to mute their celebrations because of a travel ban.
A summary of qualifying by region:
Europe: 16 berths; qualified: none
On merit, UEFA could fill more than half the tournament slots, as 25 of its members are ranked among the world's top 45, excluding No. 34 Russia (banned from the event). So, though the region's numbers have increased by three, qualifying could still prove challenging. The 12 group winners qualify, and 16 others will enter playoffs for the other four places. The idea has been to incentivize the Nations League, so
South America: six berths, plus one playoff; qualified: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador
The continent will have the highest percentage of qualified countries (70 percent), rewarding the success of Brazil (five titles), Argentina (three), and Uruguay (two). Argentina clinched a place with four games remaining and will be attempting to become the third team to repeat. Brazil stumbled through the campaign — firing two coaches along the way — before clinching with a 1-0 victory over Paraguay Tuesday night in Carlo Ancelotti's second game in charge. Surprisingly, Bolivia and Venezuela remain in contention with two matches remaining, while Chile has been ousted and Peru has only a slim chance for a playoff.
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Africa: nine berths, plus one playoff; qualified: none
Morocco's run to the 2022 semifinals symbolized the potential of the continent, which had three berths in 1994, increased to five from 1998-2022. The biggest surprise has been underperforming Nigeria, which stands in fourth place (1-1-4, 7 points) in Group C. The Super Eagles' fate could be decided when they meet group leader South Africa and second-place Rwanda in September.
Asia: eight berths, plus one playoff; qualified: Australia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, South Korea, Uzbekistan
The Asian Federation has only recently stamped its mark on the World Cup, with Qatar (2022) and Saudi Arabia (2034) named to host. Asian teams, though, have yet to make an impact on the field. Japan became the first to clinch on March 20, going on to compile a 54-3 goal differential in 16 matches. After having survived two group-play rounds, six countries — Indonesia, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — move on to a round-robin playoff Oct. 8-14. Two will qualify and two others will go to — you guessed it — the interconfederation playoff. Of the continent's 34 eliminated teams, Palestine came closest to surviving. The Palestinians were knocked out by Oman via a 1-1 tie, following a controversial stoppage-time penalty kick in Amman, Jordan, on Tuesday.
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CONCACAF: three berths, plus two playoffs; qualified: Canada, Mexico, US (co-hosts)
Even the host countries, excluded from qualifying, could be feeling the pressure as they prepare for the Gold Cup. Well, maybe not Canada, which has compiled a 6-1-3 record in the last 10 games. The Tricolor lost, 4-2, to Switzerland, before recovering for a 1-0 victory over Turkey last week. And the US fell to both the
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Oceania: one berth, plus one playoff; qualified: New Zealand
This is the first time the region has been awarded automatic qualification, and the Kiwis easily advanced, going 5-0-0 with a 26-1 goal differential. New Caledonia, ranked 160th in the world, will enter the playoffs.
Frank Dell'Apa can be reached at
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