World Cup 18 Qualifying Review.

Another interesting week of qualifiers across the World.

Mexico, Belgium, South Korea and Saudi Arabia all booked their spot in Russia this week, joining the hosts, Brazil, Iran and Japan.

ASIA
The Qualifying Group stage is over, with Iran, Japan, South Korea and Saudi Arabia qualifying.
Australia face Syria in a 2 leg play-off, with the winners progressing to an inter-continental play-off against the 4th best CONCACAF side.


AFRICA
With two games left Nigeria hold a strong position in a tough group that has already seen heavyweights Cameroon and Algeria eliminated.
Ghana also look like missing out, with Egypt favourites to qualify from that group.
Cote d'Ivoire lost to Gabon, but the damage was limited by a draw in the Morocco game. They remain top, but by only 1 point.
Burkina Faso and Cape Verde are fighting to be WC debutants, but Senegal are still in the fight.
Tunisia have a strong position to claim a place.

CONCACAF
Mexico are already through, and Costa Rica have a very strong position after beating USA 2-0.
The 3rd spot is up for grabs, with Panama - currently on 10 points - and USA - 9 points - meeting on the next match day. Honduras - also on 9 points - will hope to capitalise on this, but have to face the top 2.

SOUTH AMERICA
This week actually made it even less clear who will join Brazil in Russia.
Uruguay took 4 points this week, elevating them to second.
Colombia drew both their matches, costing them a strong looking position before this week.
Peru had the best week, and two 2-1 wins puts them in the 4th and final qualifying position.
It was a bad week for Argentina and Chile. The Argies drew both games- a credible 0-0 in Uruguay before a potentially disastrous 1-1 at home versus Venezuela. Two defeats have made Chile outsiders.
Paraguay and Ecuador still have a small hope.

The table has Uruguay on 27 pts, Colombia 26, Peru 24, Argentina 24, Chile 23, Paraguay 21, Ecuador 20 with 2 games left.

OFC
New Zealand strolled to an 8-3 aggregate win in the Final of the Oceanic qualifying over Solomon Islands. They now wait to see which South American side they will face in a 2 legged Inter-Continental play-off game.

UEFA
Belgium strolled to qualification with 2 wins this week, a 2-1 over Greece being the pivotal game.
Spain took a massive step to qualifying with a comfortable win over Italy.
England's win over Slovakia all but seals their place.
Northern Ireland secured a play-off place at least, while
Germany should have done enough to win the group already.
Switzerland and Portugal go head to head next month for the top spot in Group B.
France let the rest back in by failing to beat Luxembourg.