The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated events in the world of sports. As the 2022 edition in Qatar approached, anticipation and excitement began to build. The qualifiers for the tournament, set against the backdrop of various continents and featuring a myriad of talented teams, were nothing short of thrilling. Below, we explore the journey of these qualifiers, highlighting key matches, standout performances, and the format that led to the ultimate selection of the 32 teams competing in Qatar.
### The Qualifying Process
To begin with, the World Cup qualifiers function as a long and grueling process, involving hundreds of matches spread over a couple of years. All footballing nations affiliated with FIFA are given a chance to qualify, aiming to secure one of the coveted 32 spots in the final tournament.
For Qatar 2022, the qualifiers commenced as early as June 2019. The qualifiers are split into several stages, each meticulously coordinated by FIFA and the respective continental confederations. Each region—Africa (CAF), Asia (AFC), Europe (UEFA), North and Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Oceania (OFC), and South America (CONMEBOL)—