The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification competition is a series of tournaments organised by the six FIFA confederations. The 2014 World Cup will feature 32 teams, with one place reserved for the hosts, Brazil. The remaining 31 places are determined by a qualification process, in which entrants from among the other 207 teams from the six FIFA confederations will compete.
Most qualifying teams will be determined within these confederations, with a limited number of inter-confederation play-offs occurring at the end of the process. Bhutan, Brunei, Guam and Mauritania did not enter, and South Sudan joined FIFA after the qualification process started and therefore could not take part.
The first qualification match, between Montserrat and Belize, was played on 15 June 2011 and the Belizean striker Deon McCaulay scored the first goal in qualification. The originally published schedule would have consisted of 824 qualifying matches,but the withdrawal of the Bahamas and Mauritius means only 816 will be required.
As of 11 October 2013, 14 teams have secured their qualifications and 37 teams remain in contention for 18 remaining qualification place.
