121 teams entered the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for 24 places in the final tournament.

Mexico, as the hosts, and Italy, as the defending champions, qualified automatically, leaving 22 spots open for competition.

The draw took place on 7 December 1983 in Zürich, Switzerland.

The 24 spots available in the 1986 World Cup would be distributed among the continental zones as follows: A total of 110 teams played at least one qualifying match.

The winner qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup.