1970 FIFA World Cup (qualification)
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 75 (from 6 confederations) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 172 |
| Goals scored | 542 (3.15 per match) |
A total of 75 teams entered the 1970 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. Hosts Mexico and defending champions England qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.
For the first time, the winners of both the African zone and the Asian and Oceanian zone were guaranteed a direct place in the final tournament. The 16 spots available in the 1970 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows:
A total of 68 teams played in at least one qualifying match. A total of 172 qualifying matches were played, and 542 goals were scored (an average of 3.15 per match).
Listed below are the dates and results of the qualification rounds.
Key:
(30 teams competing for 8 berths)
FIFA rejected the entry of Albania and both Iceland and Malta withdrew before the draw. The remaining 29 teams were divided into 8 groups of 3 or 4 teams each (three groups with 3 teams and five groups with 4 teams). The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
The 10 teams were divided into 3 groups; two groups with 3 teams and one group with 4 teams. The teams played against each other on a home-and-away basis. The group winners would qualify.
Peru qualified.
This has been to date, the only time that Argentina failed to qualify.
Brazil qualified.
Uruguay qualified.
FIFA rejected the entry of Cuba. There would be three rounds of play:
United States advanced to the Semifinal Round.
Haiti advanced to the Semifinal Round.
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