Hosts Mexico and defending champions England qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.

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.

There would be three rounds of play: FIFA rejected the entries of Guinea and Zaire.

There would be three rounds of play: FIFA rejected the entry of Cuba.

(30 teams competing for 8 berths) FIFA rejected the entry of Albania.