The international qualifiers are underway across the globe and a host of high-stakes matches await. While qualifying systems differ in structure and challenges, they all serve a similar purpose: to determine the best teams to represent their continent at the World Cup finals. This year the tournament will be held in Qatar and feature 48 teams, more than ever before.

The first round of qualification began in September 2023 and the top six in each group will qualify for the World Cup finals directly, while the runners-up will compete in an inter-confederation play-off. Argentina are currently top of the table in South America and Carlo Ancelotti’s side could clinch a place at the finals this week with a home match against Ecuador.

Ahead of the draw for the second round of qualifying, which will take place on Wednesday, there were seven CONCACAF nations in the running to clinch one of the four automatic places available. Eritrea’s withdrawal from the competition earlier this month left DR Congo, Egypt and Morocco in contention for the remaining spots.

Those sides will now be drawn into groups of four or five countries who will play each other over two legs. The six best second-round group winners will then advance to the third round, where they will be paired against each other in a two-legged tie to decide the last two places at the finals. In Europe, qualifiers soft-launched on March 21 and will continue with double-headers in June, September and October before being completed in November.