The Race to Russia 2018 is almost run. For the majority of nations, only one game remains of qualifying – although some will face further agony in play-off rounds.
England are already there, but the other home nations, plus several of the biggest names in world football, are far from certain of their seat on the plane.
Here, Sportsmail examines the state of play, as it is on Sunday lunchtime, before the final round of European fixtures begin…
England are definitely at the 2018 World Cup – but who else is going to join Harry Kane and co?
AFC – 46 teams competing for 4.5 places
Qualified: South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan
The final group stages in Asia concluded in September, with the top two sides in each pool of six booking their flights to Russia.
Iran, managed by former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz, led the way by going unbeaten in their 10 fixtures. South Korea and Japan each made it for the sixth tournament in succession, while Saudi Arabia are in the finals for the first time since 2006.
The biggest story however is Syria – the war-torn nation, who have to play home matches in Malaysia, are 1-1 after their play-off first leg with Australia. Win through, and they face another double header against a North American side – possibly the USA – to complete the most unlikely qualification in recent memory.
Syria are locked at 1-1 with Australia following the first leg of their Asian play-off in Malaysia
CAF – 54 teams competing for 5 places
Qualified: Nigeria
Nigeria are the only African side to have qualified with a game to spare, triumphing in the group of death – Group B – over Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria, beating Zambia 1-0 on Saturday to finish the job.
In Group A, Tunisia are one point away from a first World Cup since 2006, and host Libya in the final fixture. A slip up could allow DR Congo in, if they beat Guinea.
Group C boils down to a showdown in Abidjan between Ivory Coast – not the force they were in the heyday of Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure – and Morocco. The North Africans only need to avoid defeat.
The most controversial pool has been Group D, where Senegal’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa was annulled after the referee, Joseph Lamptey, was banned for life. Should Senegal win the replay, they will qualify.
On Sunday, Egypt host eliminated Congo, with a win enough to send them to a first finals since 1990, at the expense of Ghana who are also in Group E.
Nigeria are the only African side to qualify with a game to go by winning the ‘Group of Death’
Concacaf – 35 teams competing for 3.5 places
Qualified: Mexico, Costa Rica
Mexico have made very light work of this section, going unbeaten in all nine games and guaranteeing top spot in the pool.
Costa Rica joined them on Saturday night, a 1-1 draw at home to Honduras enough to push the 2014 quarter finalists over the line.
The USA have stuttered and stammered through qualifying, but a 4-0 win over Panama on Friday has put them in charge of the third and final automatic spot.
A point at Trinidad and Tobago in the final fixture should be enough, but a slip up would allow Panama or Honduras in with a win. The team that finishes fourth faces Syria or Australia in a play-off.
Costa Rica’s draw at home to Honduras saw them join Mexico as qualifiers from CONCACAF
Conmebol – 10 teams competing for 4.5 places
Qualified: Brazil
The two South American heavyweights have had very different experiences – Brazil are 10 points clear at the top of the table, Argentina are staring at a first failed qualification since 1970.
Lionel Messi and co must travel to Ecuador – and play at altitude in Quito – and win. They sit sixth in the 10-team group. Peru (5th) host Colombia (4th), with the loser being leapfrogged should the Argentines triumph.
The table is incredibly tight – Chile in third and Paraguay in seventh are separated by two points. Alexis Sanchez’s team look well placed, but they must get a result in Brazil on Tuesday to avoid relying on fate. Paraguay meanwhile host rock bottom Venezuela so have a real shot at the top four.
Uruguay are all but at the finals – they need just a point at home to eliminated Bolivia, so expect to see Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in Russia next summer.
The side that finishes fifth are also hot favourites to qualify, as they play New Zealand (FIFA ranking 119) in a two-legged November play-off. The All-Whites won the Oceania section by beating the Solomon Islands 8-3 on aggregate.
Argentina must win in altitude away to Ecuador to avoid a first failed qualification since 1970
UEFA – 54 teams competing for 13 places
Qualified: Germany, England, Spain, Belgium
France and their remarkable pool of attacking talent simply need to beat Belarus at home in Group A on Tuesday. Holland host Sweden, but must win by seven goals to overhaul the Swedes for the play-off place.
Portugal host Switzerland in Group B’s pivotal denouement, with only a win enough for Cristiano Ronaldo’s European champions. Switzerland opened their campaign by beating the Portuguese and have nine wins from nine so far.
Germany also have a perfect record and will finish top of Group C. Northern Ireland must avoid defeat in Norway on Sunday night to definitely be in the play-offs.
Serbia have Group D in their hands and will qualify by winning at home to Georgia on Monday. Fail, and the winner of Wales v Republic of Ireland will overhaul them. The Welsh must beat the Irish, or risk having the worst of the nine second placed records and therefore missing the eight play-off spots.
Wales must beat the Republic of Ireland or risk missing out on the European play-offs
Group E is fairly simple – Poland will top the table by avoiding defeat to Montenegro, who themselves will finish second if they win and Denmark lose at home to Romania. The Danes need a point for the play-offs.
England – however unconvincingly – are definitely Group F winners. Scotland must beat Slovenia in Ljubliana to earn a play-off place; fail and they will almost certainly be overhauled by Slovakia, who host minnows Malta on Sunday.
Group G is resolved – Spain’s 1-1 draw away to Italy and 3-0 victory at home has seen them home, so the Italians must run the play-off gauntlet.
Belgium were the first European side to qualify and have won Group H, dropping only two points so far. Greece must only beat pointless Gibraltar at home to come second, but are relying on results elsewhere to finish in the play-offs as points against the bottom sides in the pools don’t count in the second place mini-league.
Iceland are one win from a first World Cup finals, and they host winless Kosovo on Monday. Ukraine host Croatia in a winner takes all battle for second.
Scotland are also in a must win situation as they travel to Ljubliana to play Slovenia on Sunday