Germany, the host nation, was granted automatic qualification, with the remaining 31 finals places divided among the continental confederations.

Approximately 190-200 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within the scope of continental confederations for a place in the finals.

The men's football tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics featured 16 men's national teams from the six continental confederations.

Each continental confederation comprises or recognizes, in turn, various national governing bodies and associations.

There are six association football continental championships for national teams from each continental confederation, contested every 2 to 4 years.

There are also 6 continental club championships contested yearly by club teams from within each continental confederation.

More than 50 national teams compete in qualifying tournaments within continental confederations for a place in the finals.

The Super Globe is a handball competition contested between the champion clubs from continental confederations.

This was the first World Cup in which teams from all six continental confederations participated in the finals, something that would not happen again until 2006.

As the host nation, Germany were granted automatic qualification, while the remaining national teams qualified through their continental confederations.