The 31 teams were divided into 9 groups of 2, 3 or 4 teams each (one group with 2 teams, 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.
Belgium and Bulgaria finished level on points, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify.
Bulgaria qualified.
West Germany qualified.
France qualified.
Portugal qualified.
Switzerland qualified.
Hungary qualified. This is the first time Austria failed to qualify. The previous absences of the Austrian team at World Cup were all due to withdrawals (1938, 1950, and 1962).
Soviet Union qualified.
Italy qualified.
Syria withdrew to support the African teams who withdrew in protest at the allocation of spots. Republic of Ireland and Spain finished level on points, and a play-off on neutral ground was played to decide who would qualify. This match was initially to be played in London, a city with a large Irish immigrant population, but the Spanish and Irish football associations later came to an agreement and moved the match to Paris.
Spain qualified.