
FIFA World Cup qualification is the process a national football (soccer) team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals, or, more commonly known as the FIFA World Cup. FIFA World Cup is a global event, and qualification is used to reduce the large field of participants from about 200 to 32.
Qualifying tournaments are held within the six FIFA continental zones (Africa, Asia, North and Central America and Caribbean, South America, Oceania, Europe), and are organized by their respective confederations. For each tournament, FIFA decides beforehand the number of spots awarded to each of the continental zones, based on the relative strength of the confederations' teams (and, some may argue, political considerations).
The hosts of the World Cup receive an automatic berth in the finals. Unlike many other sports, results of the previous World Cups or of the continental championships are not taken into account. Until 2002, the defending champions also received an automatic berth, but starting from the 2006 World Cup they also need to enter qualifying.
| Date | Teams | Length | Info & Commentators | Channel | Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24-Jan | England 1 Wales 1 | 24 |
Commentary by David Coleman | ESPN Classic |
1870 |
| 17-Oct | England 1 Poland 1 | 40 |
Commentary by Barry Davies | ESPN Classic |
1870 |
| Date | Teams | Length | Info & Commentators | Channel | Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Oct | Wales 0 Scotland 2 | 26 |
Played at Liverpool's Anfield ground. Commentary by Archie MacPherson | BBC |
2763 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Group | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel | Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980-1981 | 30-May | Switzerland 2 England 1 | UEFA Group 4 | 90 |
Commentary by John Motson (not the greatest quality) | BBC |
1969 |
| 1980-1981 | 06-Jun | Hungary 1 England 3 | UEFA Group 4 | 90 |
Full ITV programme. Commentary by Brian Moore | ITV |
348 |
| 1981-1982 | 09-Sep | Norway 2 England 1 | UEFA Group 4 | 90 |
Full ITV programme. Commentary by Brian Moore | ITV |
283 |
| 1981-1982 | 09-Sep | Holland 2 Rep Of Ireland 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Jimmy Magee | RTE |
3318 |
| 1981-1982 | 18-Nov | England 1 Hungary 0 | UEFA Group 4 | 90 |
Full BBC Programme. Commentary by John Motson | BBC |
347 |
| 1981-1982 | 18-Nov | England 1 Hungary 0 | UEFA Group 4 | 25 |
Commentary by John Motson | ESPN Classic |
2575 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Region / Group | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel | Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-1985 | 12-Sep | Rep Of Ireland 1 USSR 0 | UEFA Group 6 | 90 |
Unknown Irish commentator | RTE |
2841 |
| 1984-1985 | 01-May | Romania 0 England 0 | UEFA Group 3 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by John Motson & Bobby Charlton | BBC |
948 |
| 1984-1985 | 22-May | Finland 1 England 1 | UEFA Group 3 | 90 |
Full ITV programme. Commentary by Brian Moore & Mick Channon | ITV |
1967 |
| 1985-1986 | 10-Sep | Wales 1 Scotland 1 | UEFA Group 7 | 90 |
Full ITV programme. Commentary by Brian Moore | ITV |
279 |
| 1985-1986 | 11-Sep | England 1 Romania 1 | UEFA Group 3 | 23 |
Commentary by Barry Davies | ESPN Classic |
3042 |
| 1985-1986 | 08-Oct | Israel 1 Australia 2 | OFC Final Round | 90 |
Unknown English commentary | ? |
2999 |
| 1985-1986 | 20-Nov | Scotland 2 Australia 0 | UEFA / OFC Intercontinental Play-off , 1st Leg |
40 |
Sportsnight programme. Commentary by Archie McPherson. | BBC |
16 |
| 1985-1986 | 04-Dec | Australia 0 Scotland 0 | UEFA / OFC Intercontinental Play-off , 2nd Leg |
90 |
Full Channel 4 programme. Commentary by Jock Brown | CH 4 |
213 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Region / Group | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel |
Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-1989 | 14-Sep | Northern Ireland 0 Rep Of Ireland 0 | Europe Group 6 | 26 |
Commentary by Jackie Cummings | BBC |
2313 |
| 1988-1989 | 14-Sep | Norway 1 Scotland 2 | Europe Group 5 | 12 |
Commentary by Derek Rae | BBC |
2313 |
| 1988-1989 | 18-Oct | Hungary 1 Northern Ireland 0 | Europe Group 6 | 90 |
Unknown Irish commentator | ? |
4121 |
| 1988-1989 | 08-Feb | Cyprus 2 Scotland 3 | Europe Group 5 | 90 |
Commentary by Jock Brown & Alex Ferguson | ITV |
3324 |
| 1988-1989 | 08-Mar | Albania 0 England 2 | Europe Group 2 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by Barry Davies & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
1385 |
| 1988-1989 | 8-Mar | Albania 0 England 2 | Europe Group 2 |
23 |
Commentary by Barry Davies & Trevor Brooking | ESPN Classic |
4442 |
| 1988-1989 | 08-Mar | Scotland 2 France 0 | Europe Group 5 | 90 |
Commentary by Jock Brown & Alex Ferguson | ITV |
3321 |
| 1988-1989 | 09-Apr | New Zealand 2 Israel 2 | OFC Final Round | 90 |
Commentary by Les Murray | SBS |
2997 |
| 1988-1989 | 16-Apr | Australia 1 Israel 1 | OFC Final Round | 90 |
Commentary by Les Murray & Johnny Warren | SBS |
2632 |
| 1988-1989 | 26-Apr | England 5 Albania 0 | Europe Group 2 | 46 |
Commentary by John Motson | BBC |
3322 |
| 1988-1989 | 28-May | Rep Of Ireland 2 Malta 0 | Europe Group 6 | 90 |
Unknown Irish commentator | ITV |
3317 |
| 1988-1989 | 03-Jun | England 3 Poland 0 | Europe Group 2 | 50 |
Full 'Match Of The Day' programme. Commentary by John Motson & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
1766 |
| 1988-1989 | 30-Jul | Venezuela 0 Brazil 4 | South America Group 3 | 90 |
Full Screensport programme. Commentary by Martin Tyler & Ron Atkinson | Screensport |
2807 |
| 1989-1990 | 20-Aug | Brazil 6 Venezuela 0 | South America Group 3 | 90 |
Full Screensport programme. Commentary by Peter Brackley & Don Howe | Screensport |
2808 |
| 1989-1990 | 06-Sep | Sweden 0 England 0 | Europe Group 2 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by John Motson & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
998 |
| 1989-1990 | 11-Oct | Poland 0 England 0 | Europe Group 2 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by Barry Davies & Trevor Brooking. | BBC |
1386 |
| 1989-1990 | 30-Oct | Israel 0 Colombia 0 | CONMEBOL / OFC Intercontinental Play-off 2nd Leg | 90 |
Full Screensport programme. Commentary by Phil Mison & Don Howe | Screensport |
2994 |
| 1989-1990 | 06-Sep | Yugoslavia 3 Scotland 1 | Europe Group 5 | 90 |
Commentary by Jock Browm | ITV |
3497 |
| 1989-1990 | 19-Nov | Trinidad & Tobago 0 USA 1 | CONCACAF Championship | 90 |
Full ESPN programme. Commentary by JP Dellacamera & Seamus Malin | ESPN |
3545 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Region / Group | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel |
Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-1993 | 14-Oct | England 1 Norway 1 | UEFA Group 2 | 56 |
Commentary by John Motson & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
1959 |
| 1992-1993 | 18-Nov | England 4 Turkey 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
1966 |
| 1992-1993 | 18-Nov | England 4 Turkey 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 50 |
Commentary by Barry Davies | ESPN Classic |
305 |
| 1992-1993 | 17-Feb | England 6 San Marino 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Never shown 'Live' on UK TV!! No commentary | TMC |
3378 |
| 1992-1993 | 17-Feb | England 6 San Marino 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 46 |
Commentary by John Motson & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
1957 |
| 1992-1993 | 31-Mar | Turkey 0 England 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 31 |
Commentary by Barry Davies | BBC |
1572 |
| 1992-1993 | 28-Apr | Rep Of Ireland 1 Denmark 1 | UEFA Group 3 | 90 |
Commentary by Jackie Fullerton | BBC |
1292 |
| 1992-1993 | 28-Apr | England 2 Holland 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 50 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler | ESPN Classic |
300 |
| 1992-1993 | 29-May | Poland 1 England 1 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
includes Half Time analysis. Commentary by Brian Moore & Ron Atkinson | ITV |
3174 |
| 1992-1993 | 02-Jun | Norway 2 England 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Sky Sports coverage with interviews. Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
947 |
| 1993-1994 | 31-Jul | Canada 2 Australia 1 | CONCACAF / OFC Intercontinental Play-off 1st Leg | 90 |
Full TSN programme. Commentary by Vic Rauter & Graham Liggat | TSN |
3279 |
| 1993-1994 | 15-Aug | Australia 2 Canada 1 (4-1 pens) | CONCACAF / OFC Intercontinental Play-off 2nd | 120 |
Commentary by Johnny Warren | SBS |
3000 |
| 1993-1994 | 13-Oct | Holland 2 England 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Incs Half & Full Time Analysis. Commentary by Brian Moore & Ron Atkinson | ITV |
3163 |
| 1993-1994 | 13-Oct | Holland 2 England 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler | Prime |
817 |
| 1993-1994 | 17-Nov | Italy 1 Portugal 0 | UEFA Group 1 | 90 |
Prime |
1172 |
|
| 1993-1994 | 17-Nov | Argentina 1 Australia 0 | CONMEBOL / CONCACAF / OFC Intercontinental Play-off, 2nd Leg | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Andrew Paschadlidis | SBS |
3280 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Region / Group | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel |
Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996-1997 | 09-Oct | England 2 Poland 1 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Trevor Francis | SKY |
3168 |
| 1996-1997 | 09-Nov | Georgia 0 England 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Incs Half & Full Time Analysis. Commentary by Martin Tyler & Ray Wilkins | SKY |
3169 |
| 1996-1997 | 12-Feb | England 0 Italy 1 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Incs Half & Full Time Analysis. Commentary by Martin Tyler & Trevor Francis | SKY |
3170 |
| 1996-1997 | 30-Apr | England 2 Georgia 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
1773 |
| 1996-1997 | 31-May | Poland 0 England 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Jonathan Pearce & Phil Thompson | FIVE |
3173 |
| 1996-1997 | 31-May | Poland 0 England 2 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Mike Hall | US ESPN |
1388 |
| 1996-1997 | 11-Jun | Australia 13 Solomon Islands 0 | Oceanian zone 2nd Round Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Paul Williams & Charlie Yankos | SBS |
3284 |
| 1996-1997 | 28-Jun | New Zealand 0 Australia 3 | Oceanian zone Final Round | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Paul Williams | SBS |
3285 |
| 1996-1997 | 05-Jul | Australia 3 New Zealand 0 | Oceanian zone Final Round | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Paul Williams & Johnny Warren | SBS |
3286 |
| 1997-1998 | 10-Sep | Moldova 0 England 4 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Mike Hall & Tommy Smyth | US ESPN |
1366 |
| 1997-1998 | 11-Oct | Italy 0 England 0 | UEFA Group 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
788 |
| 1997-1998 | 11-Oct | Scotland 2 Latvia 0 | UEFA Group 4 | 47 |
Commentary by Barry Davies & Joe Jordan | BBC |
3913 |
| 1997-1998 | 15-Nov | Italy 1 Russia 0 | UEFA Play Off 2nd Leg | 90 |
Commentary by Peter Brackley & Luther Blissit | Channel 4 |
3838 |
| 1997-1998 | 22-Nov | Iran 1 Australia 1 | Asia #4/Oceania winner play-off 1st Leg | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Paul Williams & Johnny Warren | SBS |
3276 |
| 1997-1998 | 29-Nov | Australia 2 Iran 2 | Asia #4/Oceania winner play-off 2nd Leg | 90 |
Terry Venables Australia fail to qualify!! Full SBS programme. Commentary by Paul Williams & Johnny Warren | SBS |
2998 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Region | Length |
Info & Commentators | Channel |
Disc Ref: |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-2001 | 26-Jul | Brazil 3 Argentina 1 | South America Round 6 | 90 |
Commentary by Chris Miles | Fox |
1309 |
| 2000-2001 | 02-Sep | Latvia 0 Scotland 1 | Europe Group 6 | 90 |
Commentary by Gary Bloom & Joe Jordan | FIVE |
3350 |
| 2000-2001 | 07-Oct | England 0 Germany 1 | Group 9 | 25 |
Last ever game at Wembley. Commentary by Peter Brackley | Retail |
462 |
| 2000-2001 | 07-Oct | San Marino 0 Scotland 2 | Europe Group 6 | 90 |
Full Five programme. Cpmmentary by John Helm & Billy McNeil | FIVE |
3349 |
| 2000-2001 | 11-Oct | Croatia 1 Scotland 1 | Europe Group 6 | 90 |
Full Five programme. Commentary by John Helm & Billy McNeil | FIVE |
3345 |
| 2000-2001 | 28-Mar | Albania 1 England 2 | Europe Group 9 | 90 |
Full Five programme. Commentary by Jonathan Pearce & Trevor Steven | FIVE |
3346 |
| 2000-2001 | 06-Jun | Greece 0 England 2 | Europe Group 9 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by John Motson & Trevor Brooking | BBC |
3347 |
| 2000-2001 | 06-Jun | Estonia 0 Rep Of Ireland 2 | Europe Group 2 | 90 |
Full Five programme. Commentary by Jonatham Pearce & John Aldridge | FIVE |
3348 |
| 2000-2001 | 20-Jun | New Zealand 0 Australia 2 | Oceania Play Off 1st Leg | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Paul Williams & Johnny Warren | SBS |
3270 |
| 2000-2001 | 24-Jun | Australia 4 New Zealand 1 | Oceania Play Off 2nd Leg | 90 |
Commentary by Paul Williams & Johnny Warren | SBS |
3271 |
| 2001-2002 | 01-Sep | Germany 1 England 5 | Europe Group 9 | 50 |
Commentary by Peter Brackley | ESPN Classic |
304 |
| 2001-2002 | 01-Sep | Germany 1 England 5 | Europe Group 9 | 90 |
Commentary by John Motson | BBC |
317 |
| 2001-2002 | 06-Oct | England 2 Greece 2 | Europe Group 9 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
1382 |
| 2001-2002 | 06-Oct | England 2 Greece 2 | Europe Group 9 | 50 |
Commentary by Gary Bloom | ESPN Classic |
302 |
| 2001-2002 | 15-Nov | Iran 0 Rep Of Ireland 0 | UEFA / AFC Intercontinental Play-off 2nd Leg | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by Barry Davis | BBC |
3579 |
| 2001-2002 | 20-Nov | Australia 1 Uruguay 0 | Continental play-offs, 1st Leg | 90 |
Commentary by Paul Williams & Paul Wade | C7 |
2511 |
| 2001-2002 | 25-Nov | Uruguay 3 Australia 0 | Continental play-offs, 2nd Leg | 90 |
Commentary by Paul Williams & Paul Wade | C7 |
2512 |
| Season | Date | Teams | Length | Info & Commentators | Channel | Disc Ref: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2005 | 04-Sep | Austria 2 England 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Glenn Hoddle | SKY |
1971 |
|
| 2004-2005 | 08-Sep | Poland 1 England 2 | 90 |
Commentary by Matin Tyler & Glenn Hoddle | SKY |
1226 |
|
| 2004-2005 | 09-Oct | England 2 Wales 0 | 90 |
Commentary by John Motson & Graeme Le Saux | BBC |
1227 |
|
| 2004-2005 | 09-Oct | England 2 Wales 0 | 90 |
Commentary by Adrian Healy & Shep Messing | US ESPN |
1148 |
|
| 2004-2005 | 26-Mar | England 4 Northern Ireland 0 | 90 |
Commentary by John Motson & Graeme Le Saux | BBC |
1149 |
|
| 2004-2005 | 30-Mar | England 2 Azerbaijan 0 | 90 |
Commentary by Peter Brackley | FOX |
1007 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 03-Sep | Wales 0 England 1 | 90 |
Commentary by Martin Tyler & Andy Gray | SKY |
1765 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 03-Sep | Scotland 1 Italy 1 | 90 |
Commentary by Derek Rae & Tommy Smith | US ESPN |
1086 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 07-Sep | Northern Ireland 1 England 0 | 90 |
BBC coverage with interviews. Commentary by John Motson & Graeme Le Saux | BBC |
846 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 08-Oct | England 1 Austria 0 | 90 |
Commentary by John Motson & Graeme Le Saux | BBC |
1804 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 08-Oct | England 1 Austria 0 | 90 |
Commentary by Paul Dempsey | FOX |
990 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 12-Oct | England 2 Poland 1 | 90 |
Full BBC programme. Commentary by John Motson & Graeme Le Saux | BBC |
1350 |
|
| 2005-2006 | 12-Nov | Uruguay 1 Australia 0 | Play Off 1st Leg | 90 |
Full SBS programme. Commentary by Simon Hill & | SBS |
2599 |
| 16-Nov | Australia 1 Uruguay 0 | Play Off 2nd Leg | 120 |
Fox Sports coverage. Commentary by Simon Hill & Craig Foster (2 Disc) | FOX |
1084 / 1085 |