Eight teams will compete in the continental finals in South Africa, with qualification consisting of two rounds of knock-out home and away ties.

[4] The two finalists – Australia and North Korea – and the winner of the third place play-off – Japan – qualified for the Women's World Cup finals.

For the first time in the history of FIFA Women's World Cup, China failed to qualify for the finals.

[6] Unlike previous qualification tournaments, all UEFA member nations were eligible to qualify.

(26 teams competing for 2 or 3 berths) As with the last World Cup, the CONCACAF Women's Championship served as the region's qualification tournament.

The United States, Canada and Mexico received byes to the tournament, where they were joined by three teams from the Caribbean zone and two from Central America.

[7] Knockout stage (8 teams competing for 1 berth) As in the previous World Cup cycle, the 2010 OFC Women's Championship served as a qualifying tournament.

The draw for the order of legs was held at the FIFA headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland on 17 March 2010.