Qualifikationsrunde

Qualifikationsrunde, in German sports terminology, denotes one or more rounds of matches whose purpose is to determine which teams or athletes advance to the next stage of a competition or to an eventual final tournament. Qualifiers are typically used when there are more entrants than slots available in the final competition, or to ensure regional or national representation.

Formats vary by sport and competition. In football, qualification rounds are often two-legged knockout ties (home and away) or group-stage mini-leagues whose top teams advance. Other sports may use single-elimination playoffs or round-robin groups, sometimes with seedings and byes. Tiebreakers may include away goals, extra time, and penalties.

Examples include UEFA competitions, where clubs and national teams compete in qualifying rounds to reach the group stage or knockout rounds of the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League. National associations may also organize qualifiers to determine entrants to domestic or international events, such as World Cup qualifications in Europe under UEFA.

Qualifikationsrunden are organized by the governing bodies of the sport or by the organizing committees of the tournament. They help manage large numbers of participants, ensure competitive balance, and provide regional access while generating interest and revenue ahead of the main event.