South America

Four places, fifth faces play-off v New Zealand.

Who's in: Brazil.

Who's in the running: Uruguay have all but qualified, but any one of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay or Peru could realistically be eliminated.

Major miss: Ecuador, who played in three of the last four World Cup Finals.

Europe

Total of 14 places - hosts Russia, nine group winners and four play-off winners.

Who's in: Russia, England, Germany, Spain, Belgium.

Who's in the running: France, Switzerland and Poland are well placed for automatic qualification, but Portugal face a probable play-off. The Netherlands could miss a second major tournament in succession.

Major misses: Hungary, Czech Republic, Norway, Turkey, Austria, Bulgaria, Romania.

North/Central America

Three places, fourth plays Asian side in a play-off.

Who's in: Mexico. Who's in the running: Costa Rica will almost certainly qualify for their fifth World Cup, but the United States may end up in a play-off.

Major miss: Trinidad and Tobago.

Africa

Five places up for grabs.

Who's in: None.

Who's in the running: Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Egypt are well placed, but Ghana are unlikely to qualify. Zambia, Congo and Uganda are in contention for World Cup debuts.

Major misses: Algeria are out, and so too reigning African champions Cameroon.

Asia

Four places, Syria or Australia face North American team in play-off.

Who's in: Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia.

Who's in the running: Australia play their play-off second leg against Syria in Sydney on Tuesday with the tie at 1-1.

Major misses: 2022 hosts Qatar, United Arab Emirates, China, Iraq.

Oceania

Winners face South American team in play-off.

Who's in the play-off: New Zealand.

* Standings before this morning's (Singapore time) qualifying matches.

THE TIMES, LONDON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE