World Cup 2018: Who needs what to qualify for Russia next year?

Last updated on 11 October 2017.From the section Football327

Eddie Hernandez — Honduras are still in the running to reach a third World Cup finals in a row

Argentina and Panama are among the latest teams to book their places at next summer's World Cup - but who else still has a chance?

We now know 23 of the 32 teams who will play in Russia next summer.

Who is in the play-offs? Who can still make it? BBC Sport takes a look at the intriguing picture.

Who has qualified?

The tournament will consist of 32 teams, with hosts Russia joined by 31 qualifiers from around the globe.

The holders no longer qualify automatically, but Germany have progressed as group winners with a 100% winning record in Group C.

There are 21 other sides guaranteed to be there: Brazil, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, England, Nigeria, Poland, Egypt, Iceland, Serbia, France, Portugal, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Panama.

Full details on the sides who have qualified

Around the globe there are still other teams hoping to make it.

Who are in the European play-offs?

Europe's places: 14 including hosts Russia. Already qualified: Russia, Belgium, Germany, England, Spain, Poland, Iceland, Serbia, Portugal, France

Slovakia were the unlucky side to finish second in their group - behind England - but miss out.

James McClean fired the Republic of Ireland into the play-offs - but they cannot face Northern Ireland

They finished ninth in the table of runners-up, with the worst record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their group, and so will have to be spectators next summer.

The eight teams who will play each other for places at the World Cup are:

Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Sweden and Greece.

Four of the sides will be seeded for the play-offs based on this month's Fifa rankings, which will be released on 16 October.

They will be Switzerland, Italy, Croatia and Denmark, meaning that there can be no Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland play-off.

Road to Russia: The key dates

17 October: Europe play-off draw (Zurich)
9-11 November: Play-off first legs
12-14 November: Play-off second legs
1 December: Groups are drawn
14 June - 15 July 2018: World Cup

South America - Over to you, Peru

South America places: 4 (plus a play-off place). Already qualified: Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina

A dramatic night of qualifying on Tuesday saw Argentina among the qualifiers in South America.

Chile were the side to slide out of contention altogether, meaning that Peru - who drew 1-1 with Colombia - now head into the play-offs.

They will face New Zealand over two legs next month for a place in the finals.

Concacaf - Honduras heading all the way?

North America, Central America and Caribbean places: 3 (plus a play-off place). Already qualified: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama

Honduras beat Mexico 3-2 on Tuesday to take advantage of the United States' slip up against Trinidad and Tobago and take the play-off place.

They will now face Australia over two legs.

Panama defeated Costa Rica to also leapfrog the US and take the automatic qualification berth.

Asia - Australia into play-offs

Asia places: 4 (plus a play-off place). Already qualified: Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia

Syria's unlikely 2018 World Cup dream is over after Tim Cahill's extra-time header meant Australia progressed 3-2 on aggregate to the final qualifying tie.

Australia will now play Honduras from the Concacaf section for a place in the finals.

Africa - Nigeria secure their place

Egypt celebrate — Egypt qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990

African places: 5. Already qualified: Nigeria, Egypt

Nigeria secured a sixth World Cup appearance with a 1-0 win over Zambia, while Liverpool's Mohamed Salah struck an injury-time winner as Egypt defeated Congo to reach the tournament for the first time since 1990, but Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon are out of the running.

There are no play-offs in Africa, with the team that top each of the five qualifying groups going through. Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal are the other current group leaders.

African World Cup qualifying: Fixtures - Tables

Oceania - New Zealand await opponents

Oceania places: One play-off place. Already qualified: None

New Zealand beat the Solomon Islands over two legs (as winners of their respective groups) to book their place in the inter-continental play-offs, and will take on Peru in November.

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327 comments

Comment posted by Vilyem Hize, at 09:59 4 Oct 2017
With a bit of luck, common sense will prevail and both Russia and Qatar will have the tournament removed from them.
Comment posted by Gweilospur, at 10:33 4 Oct 2017
Lots of bitter Scots and Welsh around still I see. England may be second rate but at least we are easily qualifying again. Never mind, you can stick to your usual routine of supporting whomever is playing England, that way you can be nearly certain of tasting your version of victory again.
Comment posted by SpanishDave, at 09:55 4 Oct 2017
All we (England) need to do is scrape through, let the media build them up, let the media tear them down, massively under perform and keep the sponsors and the old men in suits happy.

It's so exciting, I can't wait.
Comment posted by AndyX, at 10:06 4 Oct 2017
Beat pub teams to win our group easily, get to tournament, play shockingly bad, sack manager, get new FA sheep in charge, beat pub teams to win our group easily, get to tournament etc etc....And some are surprised by the England fans lack of interest now, to be quite frank it has become extremely boring.
Comment posted by The Citizen, at 09:54 4 Oct 2017
It would be great to see Northern Ireland qualify after such a good campaign thus far.

Anyone remember 'yer man'?
Comment posted by Devils Avocado, at 10:23 4 Oct 2017
Quite frankly it's hilarious that Australia face not qualifying after moving continents to make it easier for themselves to get through. Can you imagine if Italy said "we're going to play in CONCACAF because we fancy the qualification route"? I hope the Aussies don't make it and the Kiwis do.
Comment posted by Espresso, at 09:56 4 Oct 2017
Would not fancy Portugal or Italy in a playoff - that's a given, but N. Ireland are playing well above expectations too, they're a very hard side to break down.

Would be interesting if Syria can make it through but I don't see them getting past Australia. Won't be interesting when the World Cup expansion happens and Oceania get an automatic spot - New Zealand will have a place at WCs forever.
Comment posted by aldo, at 12:02 4 Oct 2017
@53 - Ireland is not a home nation. Northen Ireland yes but not Ireland.
Comment posted by TCards, at 10:13 4 Oct 2017
Honestly, I'm looking forward to the PL getting going again. The WC does not entertain me in the slightest (the main objective). Add the fact the next two venues are ridiculous, corrupt, lacking passion etc. I find it so hard to be enthusiastic. Feel sorry for the kids - the WC's in Italy, Spain, Argentina were just amazing compared to the crap on offer now.
Comment posted by D1710552872174, at 21:05 9 Oct 2017
Remember to cheer when Wales get knocked out
Comment posted by Espresso, at 10:38 4 Oct 2017
As for call-ups to England (everyone's specialist subject) your club form should be secondary for the most part to your country form - think of the likes of Welbeck, Wilshere and Townsend who regularly turn up for England when in the side (JW had 5 MOTM performances out of 6 during Euro qualifying, for instance) but who have all but become a punchline to sections of the media.
Comment posted by U1374627190, at 12:15 4 Oct 2017
Can see the usual happening for us Scots - team teases us into thinking we can qualify, win convincingly against a good Slovakia team, only to go down 2-1 in Slovenia by two late goals which includes the keeper doing a banana slip like Robert green against Croatia.

You heard it here first
Comment posted by mrmjvc, at 09:58 4 Oct 2017
Hang on, I thought the play offs didn't use seedings? (after the fiasco that occurred last time to help poorly performing big sides get through)
Comment posted by User0377747044, at 10:20 4 Oct 2017
@17

It's not just our media that slag England off, its clearly people like you too.
Comment posted by Yeahbaby, at 11:05 4 Oct 2017
We are fortunate in England that our FIFA ranking has got us easy groups which we dominate for a number of years. We are slowly going further down that list now, and once we slip too far and end up with a tough opponent in future qualifying groups we will be knackered. I doubt we will easily climb back up either. It's a tough road back on that slippery slope, look at the Dutch!
Comment posted by Biskit, at 13:33 10 Oct 2017
I know England have a terrible record in major championships and haven't exactly put in performances to prove the doubters wrong (even though qualified with ease), but I still can't wait to cheer on England next year!
A month of football, who doesn't love the World Cup :) Come on England!!
Comment posted by chadders, at 07:52 5 Oct 2017
Until England play some of their games outside of the Londinium gin palace they won't gain support of the masses. With 60000 seater stadia in other parts of the country why not spread the love.
Comment posted by Swifty1863, at 14:39 10 Oct 2017
Are the Welsh going to celebrate Iceland going through again like they did last time?
Comment posted by Arfer, at 10:15 4 Oct 2017
I dare say that Peru will suddenly find themselves the recipients of a large aid package from Argentina again, just like they did in 1978.
Comment posted by ScottNeo, at 13:47 10 Oct 2017
No Argentina at the WC, please make it so. Then at least we will be spared the embarrassment of Messi being crowned player of the tournament again, for no particular reason other than being Messi.