A total of 107 teams entered the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. Argentina, as the hosts, and West Germany, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition. Qualifying countries The 1978 Football World Cup was held in Argentina between June 1 and 25, 1978. ... FIFA World Cup qualification is the process a team goes through to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Finals, or, more commonly known as the FIFA World Cup. ...

The 16 spots available in the 1978 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows:

• Europe (UEFA): 9.5 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier West Germany, while the other 8.5 places were contested by 31 teams. The winner of the 0.5 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from CONMEBOL).
• South America (CONMEBOL): 3.5 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier Argentina, while the other 2.5 places were contested by 9 teams. The winner of the 0.5 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from UEFA).
• North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 1 place, contested by 17 teams.
• Africa (CAF): 1 place, contested by 26 teams.
• Asia (AFC) and Oceania (OFC): 1 place, contested by 22 teams.

A total of 95 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 252 qualifying matches were played, and 723 goals were scored (an average of 2.87 per match). World map showing Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh) or ), is the administrative and controlling body for European football. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... CONMEBOL or CSF (CONfederación sudaMEricana de FútBOL, South American Football Confederation) is the governing body of football in South America. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... World map depicting Caribbean : West Indies redirects here. ... CONCACAF (the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football) is the continent-wide governing body for association football in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ... CAF Logo The 53 member Confederation of African Football (CAF; French: Confédération Africaine de Football) represents international football in Africa, and organises the African Cup of Nations as well as the African Champions League. ... World map showing the location of Asia. ... Asian Football Confederation Logo The 46 member Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of football in Asia, excluding Cyprus and Israel. ... For the fictional superstate in George Orwells novel, see Oceania (Nineteen Eighty-Four). ... Oceania Football Confederation logo since 1998 The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) is one of the six continental confederations of international football. ...

Continental Zones

To see the dates and results of the qualification rounds for each continental zone, click on the following articles:

• Europe (UEFA)

Group 1 - Poland qualified.

Group 2 - Italy qualified.

Group 3 - Austria qualified.

Group 4 - Netherlands qualified.

Group 5 - France qualified.

Group 6 - Sweden qualified.

Group 7 - Scotland qualified.

Group 8 - Spain qualified.

Group 9 - Hungary advanced to the UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.

• South America (CONMEBOL)

Brazil and Peru qualified. Bolivia advanced to the UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off.

• North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF)

Mexico qualified.

• Africa (CAF)

Tunisia qualified.

• Asia (AFC) and Oceania (OFC)

Iran qualified.

Listed below are the dates and results for the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the European zone (UEFA). ...

Intercontinental Play-offs

The teams would play against each other on a home-and-away basis. The winner would qualify.

UEFA / CONMEBOL Intercontinental Play-off

October 29, 1977, Budapest, Hungary - Hungary 6 - 0 Bolivia October 29 is the 302nd day of the year (303rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... Nickname: Paris of the East, Pearl of the Danubeor Queen of the Danube Location of Budapest in Hungary Country Hungary County Pest Mayor Gábor Demszky (SZDSZ) Area    - City 525,16 km²  - Land n/a km²  - Water n/a km² Population    - City (2006) 1,695,000  - Density 3570/km... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hungary_(1957-1989). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bolivia_(state). ...

November 30, 1977, La Paz, Bolivia - Bolivia 2 - 3 Hungary November 30 is the 334th day (335th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 31 days remaining. ... For the album by Ash, see 1977 (album). ... La Paz (NASA aerial view) Central La Paz Panoramic sight of the city of La Paz La Paz or Chuquiyapu (chuqui, gold, yapu, farm) is the administrative capital of Bolivia, as well as the departmental capital of La Paz Department. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bolivia_(state). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hungary_(1957-1989). ...

Hungary qualified.

Qualified teams

Team	Appearance	Streak	Previous appearance
Argentina (h)	7th	2	1974
Austria	4th	1	1958
Brazil	11th	11	1974
France	7th	1	1966
Hungary	7th	1	1966
Iran	1st	1	-
Italy	9th	5	1974
Mexico	8th	1	1970
Netherlands	4th	2	1974
Peru	3rd	1	1970
Poland	3rd	2	1974
Scotland	4th	2	1974
Spain	5th	1	1966
Sweden	7th	3	1974
Tunisia	1st	1	-
West Germany (c)	9th(1)	7	1974

(h) - qualified automatically as hosts Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Austria. ... Qualifying countries The 1958 FIFA World Cup, the sixth staging of the World Cup, was hosted by Sweden from June 8 to June 28. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Qualifying countries The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from July 11 to July 30. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hungary_(1957-1989). ... Qualifying countries The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from July 11 to July 30. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iran_(1964). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Qualifying countries The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from May 31 to June 21. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Peru. ... Qualifying countries The 1970 FIFA World Cup, the ninth staging of the World Cup, was held in Mexico, from May 31 to June 21. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Poland_(bordered). ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Scotland. ... First international Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Largest win Scotland 11 - 0 Ireland (Glasgow, Scotland; 23 February 1901) Worst defeat Uruguay 7 - 0 Scotland (Basel, Switzerland; 19 June 1954) World Cup Appearances 8 (First in 1954) Best result Round 1, all European Championship Appearances 2 (First... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Qualifying countries The 1966 FIFA World Cup, the eighth staging of the World Cup, was held in England from July 11 to July 30. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Sweden. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Tunisia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Qualifying countries The 1974 FIFA World Cup, the tenth staging of the World Cup, was held in West Germany from June 13 to July 7. ...

(c) - qualified automatically as defending champions

Qualifying countries

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 47 KB) FIFA World Cup 1978, made from free licenced world map, countries qualified (red), showing: 1st (dark blue) 2nd (light blue) 3rd (dark green) 4th (light green) Yellow square is host nation. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 47 KB) FIFA World Cup 1978, made from free licenced world map, countries qualified (red), showing: 1st (dark blue) 2nd (light blue) 3rd (dark green) 4th (light green) Yellow square is host nation. ...

Notes

• For the first time, over 100 teams entered qualification for the World Cup.

• Statistically, this was the most difficult World Cup to qualify for. Not counting the two automatic places and teams who withdrew before playing, 95 teams competed for 14 places (14.7%). The number of spots was increased to 24 for the next World Cup.

• Tunisia's victory over Morocco on penalties was the first penalty shootout in World Cup qualification matches.

Penalty shootouts (officially referred to as kicks from the penalty mark) are a method sometimes used to decide which team progresses to the next stage of a tournament (or wins the tournament) following a draw in a game of association football. ...

External links

• FIFA World Cup Official Site - 1978 World Cup Qualification
• RSSSF - 1978 World Cup Qualification