World Cup: Who has qualified and who is still in contention?
Ale Moreno believes there’s no better way to leave the game than going out after a World Cup win. (0:44)
World Cup qualifying has entered its final stretch, with 20 of the 32 finalists now known.
But who could take the 12 places that remain? We take a closer look.
– World Cup 2022 qualifying: How it works around the world
Qualified (10/13):
Germany
Denmark
Belgium
France
Croatia
Spain
Serbia
England
Switzerland
Netherlands
– Olley: England still a work in progress
Still in contention
The final three places will be decided by playoffs. Two of the finals will be held on Tuesday. The winners will qualify for the World Cup.
Playoff finals:
Poland vs. Sweden
Portugal vs. North Macedonia
– Ogden: Portugal are more than just Ronaldo
The outstanding playoff path was postponed due to Russia‘s invasion of Ukraine. It is scheduled to take place in June.
Playoff Path A semifinal:
Scotland vs. Ukraine
The winners of the semifinal will be away to Wales in the final for a place at the World Cup.
Qualified (4/4):
Brazil
Argentina
Ecuador
Uruguay
Still in contention:
Peru
Colombia
Chile
– Vickery: Tense battle to seal playoff place
The four automatic places have all been confirmed in South America, leaving just the intercontinental playoff place to play for. The final round of games takes place on Tuesday, with the team that finishes fifth in the group going forward to take on the winners of the Asian playoff path for a place at the World Cup.
Qualified (1/3):
Canada
Still in contention:
United States
Mexico
Costa Rica
– How United States and Mexico can qualify
– Bonagura: Will United States have enough to beat Panama
There is one round of qualifiers to play, on Wednesday. The top three qualify automatically, Canada have already secured one of those slots, with the fourth-placed team — almost certainly Costa Rica — facing the winners of the Oceania region to make the World Cup.
The five places in Africa are decided by two-legged playoffs, with the second legs being held on Tuesday. The first-leg scores of the five ties are as follows, with the winners advancing to the World Cup.
Cameroon 0-1 Algeria
DR Congo 1-1 Morocco
Egypt 1-0 Senegal
Ghana 0-0 Nigeria
Mali 0-1 Tunisia
Qualified (5/5):
Qatar (as hosts)
IR Iran
South Korea
Saudi Arabia
Japan
Still in contention:
Australia
United Arab Emirates
Iraq
Lebanon
Two teams will meet in the confederation playoff final. Australia have secured their place, with the other spot still up for grabs on Tuesday. UAE will take it if they win at home to South Korea. If they fail to win, Iraq are best placed to overtake them by beating Syria. The winners will play a team from South America for a place at the World Cup.
Solomon Islands play New Zealand on Wednesday in the final of the Oceania region. The winners will take on a team from CONCACAF for a place at the World Cup finals.