| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Teams | 37 (from 3 confederations) |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 57 |
| Goals scored | 208 (3.65 per match) |
| Top scorer(s) |  Max Morlock (6 goals) |
← 1950 1958 → | |
A total of 37 teams entered the 1954 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 16 spots in the final tournament. Switzerland, as the hosts, and Uruguay, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.
37 teams were divided into 13 groups, based on geographical considerations, as follows:
- Groups 1 to 10 – Europe: 11 places, contested by 27 teams (including Egypt and Israel).
- Group 11 and 12 – The Americas: 2 places, contested by 7 teams.
- Group 13 – Asia: 1 place, contested by 3 teams.
A total of 33 teams played at least one qualifying match. A total of 57 qualifying matches were played, and 208 goals were scored (an average of 3.65 per match).
Listed below are the dates and results of the qualification rounds.