1994 FIFA World Cup Qualification

A total of 147 teams entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 24 spots in the final tournament. The draw was made in New York on 8 December 1991. The United States, as the hosts, and Germany, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 22 spots open for competition.

For the first time, 3 teams would qualify from the African zone, due to the performance of African teams in the previous tournament. The 24 spots available in the 1994 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows:

• Europe (UEFA): 13 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier Germany, while the other 12 places were contested by 38 teams (including Israel).
• South America (CONMEBOL): 3.5 places, contested by 9 teams. The winner of the 0.5 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from CONCACAF or OFC).
• North, Central America and Caribbean (CONCACAF): 2.25 places, 1 of them went to automatic qualifier United States, while the other 1.25 places were contested by 22 teams. The winner of the 0.25 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from OFC).
• Africa (CAF): 3 places, contested by 40 teams.
• Asia (AFC): 2 places, contested by 30 teams.
• Oceania (OFC): 0.25 place, contested by 7 teams. The winner of the 0.25 place would advance to the Intercontinental Play-offs (against a team from CONCACAF).

A total of 130 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 497 qualifying matches were played, and 1446 goals were scored (an average of 2.91 per match).