Which teams have already qualified for World Cup 2018 and who will miss out?

Sport360 staff 13:15 09/10/2017
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  • The race to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia is nearing its conclusion.

    Here Press Association Sport looks at how things stand in the different continental sections.

    AFRICA

    Nigeria became the first African side to qualify for next summer’s finals with a 1-0 win over Zambia on Saturday and Egypt joined them thanks to a 2-1 victory over Congo on Sunday.

    The remaining three qualifiers will not be determined until next month.

    Tunisia need just a point in their final game at home to Libya to be certain of qualifying, the Ivory Coast must beat Morocco to overtake them and win Group C, while Senegal will qualify as Group D winners with a home victory over South Africa.

    ASIA

    Iran, South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia were the first four Asian nations to qualify.

    Australia and Syria – the third-placed finishers in the two Asian final-round qualifying groups – play the second leg of their play-off on Tuesday with the score 1-1 after the first leg.

    The winner will take on the team which finishes fourth in the CONCACAF section over two legs for a place in Russia.

    CONCACAF

    Mexico and Costa Rica’s qualification means only one automatic berth is still open, with the United States in pole position to claim it.

    A win over the group’s bottom side Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday will seal their passage. Panama currently occupy fourth, which carries with it a play-off against Australia or Syria.

    If they can achieve a better result against Costa Rica than fifth-placed Honduras manage against Mexico, they will definitely hold onto fourth place at the very least.

    Christian Pulisic.

    Christian Pulisic.

    EUROPE

    Belgium, England, Germany, Poland and Spain have already secured their places but four group winners are still to be decided with just one round of group games to go.

    France will finish top of Group A if they match or better Sweden’s result against Holland and Switzerland know a draw or win away to Portugal will secure their place, while a win for Serbia over Georgia will definitely keep them top of Group D.

    A win for Iceland at home to Kosovo would wrap up Group I for them, and a first trip to the World Cup finals.

    Eight second-placed teams will then fight for four remaining places in Russia via the play-offs next month. Denmark, Italy and Northern Ireland are already assured of a place in the play-offs.

    OCEANIA

    New Zealand face a play-off next month against the team finishing fifth in South American qualifying, with the winner of that two-legged tie qualifying for the finals.

    SOUTH AMERICA

    Brazil are home and hosed but the remaining three automatic qualifying places in South America – and the identity of the team which gets a second chance in a play-off against New Zealand – is far from settled.

    Uruguay just need to draw at home to Bolivia to join Brazil but beneath them, only two points separate the next five teams in the standings with one round of games to go.

    Argentina know that three points away to Ecuador would get them at least a play-off place but winning at high altitude will be no easy achievement.

    ALREADY QUALIFIED

    Belgium, Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, England, Germany, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Poland, Russia (hosts), Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain.

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