In Pictures: The road to the World Cup

Qualification for the 2018 World Cup began on March 12, 2015 and the 32 berths are filling up. Following Tuesday's (Oct 10) matches, 23 nations have booked their place to join hosts Russia in football's showpiece tournament

Updated

Published

Oct 11, 2017, 02:40 PM

Panama player Anibal Godoy celebrating after Panama qualifes for the World Cup for the first time following their qualifier against Costa Rica in Panama City. PHOTO: AFP

Colombia midfielder Juan Cuadrado (centre) leading a prayer after his team qualified for the World Cup following a 1-1 draw with Peru in Lima. PHOTO: AFP

Argentina star Lionel Messi (centre) celebrating after his hat-trick helped defeat Ecuador 3-1 in Quito to earn his country qualification to the World Cup. PHOTO: AFP

Uruguay's Luis Suarez celebrating after scoring his second goal against Bolivia during their World Cup qualifier match in Montevideo. Uruguay won 4-2. PHOTO: AFP

Brazil players celebrating their opening goal against Chile. They won 3-0, ending the South American champions bid to qualify for Russia. PHOTO: REUTERS

American pop star Madonna and her son David Banda attending the match between Portugal and Switzerland at the Luz Stadium in Lisbon. PHOTO: AFP

France forward Antoine Griezmann shooting and scoring during the qualifier between France and Belarus at the Stade de France in Paris. The hosts won 2-1 to seal their berth in Russia. PHOTO: AFP

Belgium forward Eden Hazard (right) celebrating his opener against Cyprus with Nacer Chadli. They won 4-0. PHOTO: REUTERS

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi honouring his country's footballers after their 2-1 win over Congo secured a World Cup spot. Egypt last qualified for the football's biggest tournament in 1990. PHOTO: AFP

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World Cup qualifiers