A total of 174 teams entered the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. This is the first time there would be 32 teams in the finals. France, as the hosts, and Brazil, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 30 spots open for competition. The 1998 Football World Cup was held in France, by the FIFA decision in July 1992 beating a bid by Morocco to host the event. ...

The 32 spots available in the 1998 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows:

• Europe (UEFA): 15 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier France, while the other 14 places were contested by 49 teams.
• South America (CONMEBOL): 5 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier Brazil, while the other 4 places were contested by 9 teams.
• North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 3 places, contested by 30 teams.
• Africa (CAF): 5 places, contested by 38 teams.
• Asia (AFC): 3.5 places, contested by 36 teams. The winner of the 0.5 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from OFC).
• Oceania (OFC): 0.5 place, contested by 10 teams. The winner of the 0.5 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from AFC).

A total of 168 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 643 qualifying matches were played, and 1992 goals were scored (an average of 2.99 per match). World map showing Europe Political map Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of Earth; the term continent here referring to a cultural and political distinction, rather than a physiographic one, thus leading to various perspectives about Europes precise borders. ... UEFA logo The Union of European Football Associations, almost always referred to by the acronym UEFA (pronounced (you-AY-fuh) or (oo-Ay-fuh)), 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 a central region of the Americas. ... Central America and the Caribbean (detailed pdf map) The Caribbean (Spanish: Caribe; French: Caraïbe; Dutch: Caraïben; Portuguese: Caribe or Caraíbas) is a region of the Americas consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands (most of which enclose the sea), and the surrounding coasts. ... 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. ... For other uses, see Africa (disambiguation). ... 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 45 member Asian Football Confederation (AFC) is the governing body of football in Asia, excluding Israel. ... Oceania is a geographical, often geopolitical, region consisting of numerous lands—mostly islands but sometimes including Australia—in the Pacific Ocean and vicinity. ... 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 - Denmark qualified. Croatia advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 2 - England qualified. Italy advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 3 - Norway qualified. Hungary advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 4 - Austria qualified. Scotland also qualified with the best record among the runners-up.

Group 5 - Bulgaria qualified. Russia advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 6 - Spain qualified. Yugoslavia advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 7 - Netherlands qualified. Belgium advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 8 - Romania qualified. Republic of Ireland advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Group 9 - Germany qualified. Ukraine advanced to the UEFA Play-offs.

Play-offs - Croatia, Italy, Belgium and Yugoslavia qualified over Ukraine, Russia, Republic of Ireland and Hungary respectively.

• South America (CONMEBOL)

Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia and Chile qualified.

• North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF)

Mexico, USA and Jamaica qualified.

• Africa (CAF)

Group 1 - Nigeria qualified.

Group 2 - Tunisia qualified.

Group 3 - South Africa qualified.

Group 4 - Cameroon qualified.

Group 5 - Morocco qualified.

• Asia (AFC)

Group A - Saudi Arabia qualified. Iran advanced to the AFC Play-off.

Group B - South Korea qualified. Japan advanced to the AFC Play-off.

Play-off - Japan qualified. Iran advanced to the AFC / OFC Intercontinental Play-off.

• Oceania (OFC)

Australia advanced to the AFC / OFC Intercontinental Play-off.

A total of 174 teams entered the 1998 World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 32 spots in the final tournament. ...

Intercontinental Play-offs

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

1998 FIFA World Cup AFC / OFC Intercontinental Play-off

November 22, 1997, Tehran, Iran - Iran 1 - 1 Australia The qualification process for the 1998 FIFA World Cup involved the play-off between Australia and Iran. ... November 22 is the 326th day (327th on leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Tehran (IPA: ; Persian: تهران, also transliterated as Teheran or Tehrān), population 7,160,094 (metropolitan: 14,000,000[citation needed]), and a land area of 658 square kilometers, is the capital city of Iran and the center of Tehran Province. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iran. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ...

November 29, 1997, Melbourne, Australia - Australia 2 - 2 Iran November 29 is the 333rd (in leap years the 334th) day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Melbourne (pronounced either or [1]) is the state capital and largest city in the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-largest city in Australia, with a population of approximately 3. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Australia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iran. ...

Iran qualified due to the away goals rule, scoring 2 to Australia's 1. The away goals rule is a method of breaking ties in football matches contested over two legs in which a winner must be determined. ...

Qualified teams

Qualifying countries

Team	Appearance	Streak	Previous appearance
Argentina	12th	7	1994
Austria	7th	1	1990
Belgium	10th	5	1994
Brazil (c)	16th	16	1994
Bulgaria	7th	2	1994
Cameroon	4th	3	1994
Chile	7th	1	1982
Colombia	4th	3	1994
Croatia	1st	1	-
Denmark	2nd	1	1986
England	10th	1	1990
France (h)	10th	1	1986
Germany	14th(1)	12(1)	1994
Iran	2nd	1	1978
Italy	14th	10	1994
Jamaica	1st	1	-
Japan	1st	1	-
Korea Republic	5th	4	1994
Mexico	11th	2	1994
Morocco	4th	2	1994
Netherlands	7th	3	1994
Nigeria	2nd	2	1994
Norway	3rd	2	1994
Paraguay	5th	1	1986
Romania	7th	3	1994
Saudi Arabia	2nd	2	1994
Scotland	8th	1	1990
South Africa	1st	1	-
Spain	10th	6	1994
Tunisia	2nd	1	1978
USA	6th	3	1994
Yugoslavia	1st(2)	1	-(2)

(h) - qualified automatically as hosts Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 48 KB) FIFA World Cup 1998 made from Image:BlankMap-World-v5. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1357x628, 48 KB) FIFA World Cup 1998 made from Image:BlankMap-World-v5. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Argentina. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Austria. ... The 1990 FIFA World Cup was designated by FIFA in 1984 to be held in Italy, making it the second country to host the event twice. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Belgium. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Brazil. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Bulgaria_(bordered). ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Cameroon. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Chile. ... Qualifying countries The 1982 Football World Cup was held in Spain by decision of FIFA in July 1966, in the same session where FIFA gave the right to host the 1974 and 1978 tournaments to, respectively, West Germany and Argentina. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Colombia. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Croatia. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Denmark. ... Qualifying countries The 1986 Football World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England_(bordered). ... First international Scotland 0 - 0 England (Partick, Scotland; 30 November 1872) Largest win Ireland 0 - 13 England (Belfast, Ireland; 18 February 1882) Worst defeat Hungary 7 - 1 England (Budapest, Hungary; 23 May 1954) World Cup Appearances 12 (First in 1950) Best result Winners, 1966 European Championship Appearances 7 (First in... The 1990 FIFA World Cup was designated by FIFA in 1984 to be held in Italy, making it the second country to host the event twice. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_France. ... Qualifying countries The 1986 Football World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Germany. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Iran. ... Qualifying countries The 1978 Football World Cup was held in Argentina between June 1 and 25, 1978. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Jamaica. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan_(bordered). ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Korea_(bordered). ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Morocco. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Netherlands. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Nigeria. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Norway. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Paraguay. ... Qualifying countries The 1986 Football World Cup was held in Mexico from May 31 to June 29. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Romania. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Saudi_Arabia. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... 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... The 1990 FIFA World Cup was designated by FIFA in 1984 to be held in Italy, making it the second country to host the event twice. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_South_Africa. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Tunisia. ... Qualifying countries The 1978 Football World Cup was held in Argentina between June 1 and 25, 1978. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_States. ... Qualifying countries The 1994 FIFA World Cup was held in the USA and was won by Brazil who beat Italy with 3-2 in a penalty shootout after the game ended 0-0 after extra-time. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_FR_Yugoslavia. ... First international Czechoslovakia 7 - 0 Yugoslavia[1] (Antwerp, Belgium; 28 August 1920) Brazil 2 - 0 Yugoslavia (Porto Alegre, Brazil; 23 December 1994) Serbia and Montenegro 2 - 2 Azerbaijan (Podgorica, Serbia and Montenegro; 12 February 2003) Czech Republic - Serbia (Prague, Czech Republic; 16 August 2006 Largest win Yugoslavia 10 - 1 India...

(c) - qualified automatically as defending champions