A total of 107 teams entered the 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, which began with the preliminary qualification draw on 20 November 1975 at Guatemala City.

Argentina, as the hosts, and West Germany, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 14 spots open for competition.

The 16 places would be distributed among the continental zones as follows: A total of 95 teams played at least one qualifying match.

Bolivia advanced to the inter-confederation play-offs.

The following 16 teams qualified for the 1978 FIFA World Cup: