| Means of qualification | Berths | Qualified |
| Host nation | 1 |  United States |
| AFC Preliminary Competition | 3 |  South Korea (winner)
 Japan (runner-up)
 Saudi Arabia (third-place) |
| CAF Preliminary Competition | 3 |  Ghana
 Tunisia
 Nigeria |
| CONCACAF Preliminary Competition | 1 |  Mexico (winner) |
| CONMEBOL Preliminary Competition | 2 |  Brazil (winner)
 Argentina (runner-up) |
| 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship | 5 |  Italy (winner)
 Spain (runner-up)
 France (third-place)
 Hungary (5th)
 Portugal (6th) |
| 1996 CONCACAF–OFC play-off | 1 |  Australia |
| Total | 16 | |
United States 
South Korea (winner)
Japan (runner-up)
Saudi Arabia (third-place) 
Ghana
Tunisia
Nigeria 
Mexico (winner) 
Brazil (winner)
Argentina (runner-up) 
Italy (winner)
Spain (runner-up)
France (third-place)
Hungary (5th)
Portugal (6th) 
Australia 
Category
Commons
