The FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of world soccer. Hundreds of nations all over the world compete for a place in the quadrennial competition, but only a select few advance through the long journey that is World Cup qualifying. The U.S. Men’s National Team has become a perennial participant in the competition, having qualified for each of the last seven World Cups dating back to 1990. However no nation, other than the host country, is guaranteed to qualify for the World Cup. Like most great things in life, you’ve got to earn it.
Qualifying for the World Cup is no simple task, and, frankly, the process can seem pretty confusing at times.