Football at the 1976 Summer Olympics – Men's qualification

The European Qualifiers for the 1976 Summer Olympics tournament took place after two rounds (qualifying and tournament). East Germany, France, Spain and Soviet Union gained qualification to the Olympic tournament and Poland qualified automatically as holders.

The South American Pre-Olympic tournament was held in Brazil. Newell's Old Boys represented Argentina. In the end, Brazil and Uruguay qualify however Uruguay withdrew from the final tournament. Argentina were invited to replace them but declined and the place went to Cuba (best CONCACAF non-qualifiers).

The CONCACAF qualifying rounds and Pre-Olympic tournament saw Guatemala and Mexico qualify. Canada qualified automatically as hosts. Cuba were invited after the withdrawal of Uruguay and Argentina's refusal to replace them.

The African Qualifiers tournament for the 1976 Summer Olympics took place over a total of two rounds. Ghana, Nigeria and Zambia gained qualification to the Olympic tournament. The three African teams boycotted the Olympic tournament protesting against the participation of New Zealand (whose rugby team planned a summer tour of South Africa in spite of the Soweto uprising), the three African participants withdrew a day before the start of the Games.

The Pre-Olympic tournaments of the Asian Qualifiers for the 1976 Summer Olympic saw Iran, Israel and North Korea qualify.