1958 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC and CAF)

The 1958 FIFA World Cup qualification for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was a combined process where teams from both confederations competed for a single spot in the final tournament held in Sweden. Due to limited participation from these confederations at the time, FIFA implemented a joint qualification system.

Initially, several nations registered to participate. However, many subsequently withdrew. The qualification process was characterized by political complexities and logistical challenges. Several matches were cancelled or rearranged due to these factors.

The teams that eventually participated were split into groups. Israel, who were members of the AFC at the time, advanced through the qualification stages due to withdrawals from other nations, ultimately facing Wales in a play-off after European teams were added to the qualification group following similar withdrawals in the European zone. Wales, who finished second in their European qualification group, defeated Israel in the play-off, thereby preventing a team from the AFC or CAF zones from participating in the 1958 World Cup.

Because a team from neither the AFC nor CAF directly qualified, the qualification process highlighted the emerging status of football in both continents and the considerable distance to be overcome to compete with established European and South American nations. It also revealed the organizational and political issues affecting football development in these regions during this period.