In international soccer, a match used, either by itself or as part of a series, to qualify a team for a higher-level event. Most commonly used in relation to the World Cup, for which several sets of qualifiers are used to cut the field to 32 teams for the finals.

Someone who qualifies (qualify). means some person who proves him/herself to be fit (or eligible) for participation in an event or for a post/job.

Qual"i*fi`er (?)

, One who, or that which, qualifies; that which modifies, reduces, tempers or restrains.

© Webster 1913.