2018 World Cup: eight qualified countries as of 06/09/2017, the other 24 known by November 2017

Belgium, assured of finishing first in Group H of the UEFA zone qualification phase; Mexico, assured of finishing among the top three in the CONCACAF zone, Japan and Saudi Arabia, first and second in Group B in the AFC zone; and South Korea, second in Group A in the AFC zone, have qualified for the final phase of the XXI World Cup, to be held in Russia from 14/06 to 15/07/2018, after the round of qualification matches in August-September of 2017.

These five countries join Russia (host), Brazil (CONMEBOL), and Iran (first in Group A, AFC zone) that had previously qualified, while the qualification phase (767 matches already played, and 2,177 goals scored) will continue in all geographical areas until November 2017.

Syria and Australia will contest a two-leged play-off for the AFC zone in October 2017, the winner of which and will then compete in a two-legged intercontinental play-off against the fourth place finisher in the CONCACAF zone during the international period in November 2017.

New Zealand, after winning the third round of the Oceania zone qualification against the Solomon…