In the group rounds, there are three points awarded for a win, two for a draw, and one for a loss.
The winner qualifies for the World Cup, and the loser will enter a Repechage round.
There are three available places in the World Cup for Americas nations via qualification, as well as a potential fourth qualifier in the form of a Repechage.
The winner of the Round 3a competition of three nations progresses directly to the World Cup as Americas 1.
The winner of the Round 3b competition of three nations progresses directly to the World Cup as Americas 2.
The winner of Round 3 will qualify directly to the World Cup as Asia 1.
The teams are 'ranked' according to their division in the European Nations Cup, taking into account the relegations and promotions at the end of the previous competition.
Round 2 sees 20 nations broken up into four pools of five teams – each playing each other twice.
The top two ranked nations of each pool will gain entry to Round 3, with the third placed nations of each pool entering a play-off, the top two ranked sides from the playoff enter round 3.
There are two available positions in the World Cup of Oceanic nations, with a potential third in the form of a Repechage.
The winner of the two game Round 4 tournament advances to Repechage 2 where they meet Asia 1 for a World Cup place.