Whether you’re a die‑hard fan or just catching the excitement, the qualifying round decides who gets to play on the biggest stage. Below you’ll find the most useful info – from match dates to streaming options – so you can follow every twist and turn without hassle.
All of the confederations are in full swing. In Europe, the top‑ranked teams are battling in head‑to‑head groups, while in Asia the schedule is a mix of home and away legs that keep the standings tight. Africa’s groups are known for surprise results, and South America still has the classic showdowns between powerhouses.
Each group plays a double‑round robin – meaning every team meets the others twice, once at home and once away. Points are awarded the usual way: three for a win, one for a draw, none for a loss. At the end of the cycle, the group winners (and in some zones, the best runners‑up) lock in their tickets to the World Cup.
First, check the official qualifier schedule. Most national football association sites post a clean table with dates, kick‑off times and venues. Write the key games into your calendar – a good habit is to set a reminder 30 minutes before kick‑off.
For live viewing, your options depend on where you live. In the UK, the BBC and ITV usually carry the biggest fixtures. In the US, ESPN and the streaming service Fanatiz have the rights for most qualifiers. If you’re abroad, look for local broadcasters that have a partnership with FIFA, or use a reputable streaming platform that offers a free trial.
Don’t forget the radio and social media angles. Many radio stations broadcast live commentary, and official team Twitter accounts post minute‑by‑minute updates. If you’re on a tight data plan, following the live‑text feed can give you the full story without draining bandwidth.
Finally, join a community. Forums like Reddit’s r/soccer or the official team fan pages let you discuss tactics, celebrate goals, and get tips on where to find the best streams. Being part of the conversation makes each match feel more personal.
With the schedule set, the teams ready, and plenty of ways to watch, there’s no excuse to miss a single qualifier. Grab the dates, pick your viewing method, and enjoy the road to the World Cup.
Level on six points but not on games played, the Netherlands and Poland meet Thursday at De Kuip in a key World Cup qualifier. The Dutch are perfect from two matches and scoring freely. Poland slipped in Finland last time out. Memphis Depay sits on 50 international goals and can break the national record.
