The 32 teams contesting next summer’s World Cup in Russia have now been decided with Peru becoming the final team to earn a place after their victory over New Zealand on Wednesday night.
But while some nations are still celebrating the mere feat of reaching next summer’s finals – we’re looking at you, Panama – those hoping to lift the trophy will enter their final stage of preparations, starting with the group stage draws.
With the tournament now just seven months away, Sportsmail runs through the key dates every fan needs to know ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2018…
Peru became the 32nd nation to qualify for the World Cup after beating New Zealand this week
Which nations have qualified?
The first qualifiers for the World Cup took place in March 2015, but Wednesday’s game between Peru and New Zealand brought an end to the agony and ecstasy experienced by 209 competing nations over the last 31 months.
For countries like Iceland and Panama, reaching their first World Cup felt like winning it. For others, such as Brazil and Germany, it was a mere formality, if not an outright inconvenience.
Who won’t be there?
Chile are the highest ranked nation (ninth) not to be there, but it is four-time winners Italy whose absence will be most strongly felt. They crashed out in a play-off with Sweden to end Gianluigi Buffon’s hopes of a second World Cup win.
Wales, who are actually ranked above Italy, narrowly missed out on a play-off place after a defeat to the Republic of Ireland in their final group game while finalists Holland missed out on a second major tournament in a row.
Finally, USA also crashed out of qualifying, meaning they won’t be present at a World Cup for the first time since 1986.
Four-time World Cup winners Italy failed to qualify for a World Cup for the first time since 1958
When is the draw and how will it work?
The draw will take place on Friday, 1 December in Moscow at the State Kremlin Palace concert hall at 3pm GMT.
Teams will be separated into four groups of eight teams based on their position in the October rankings with the highest seven teams joining hosts Russia in Pot 1.
No two teams from the same confederation will be drawn against each other with the exception of UEFA, who boast almost half (14/32) of all teams at the tournament. Only a maximum of two European teams can be drawn in the same group.
When do nations have to name their squads?
Competing nations will have to submit a 30-man preliminary squad to FIFA in mid-May. They will then have until the first week of June to trim their teams to 23 players, which must include three goalkeepers.
A player from the final squad can be replaced up to 24 hours prior to his country’s first group game if he suffers a serious injury.
England manager Gareth Southgate will have big decisions to make before naming his squad
When and where does the World Cup begin?
The tournament will kick off with hosts Russia contesting the opening match at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow on 14 June.
Sixty-four games will then be played in the space of a month with the final taking place in the same arena on 15 July, although almost certainly not involving Russia this time.
The Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow will host the first and final game of the World Cup 2018
Who are favourites to win the World Cup?
After lifting the World Cup in 2014, Germany (5/1) have earned the billing as pre-tournament favourites but five-time winners Brazil (5/1) are a popular choice after a barnstorming qualification campaign.
France (11/2) and Spain (7/1) are next on the list after breezing through qualifying themselves and are closely followed by Argentina (8/1) despite only making it to Russia by the skin of their teeth.
What are the stadiums like?
Sportsmail completed a comprehensive guide to all the stadiums and the cities they are situated in, which can be read here.
A map showing the location of the 12 World Cup venues in Russia and their capacities