2018 FIFA World Cup qualification - wikipedia 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification This is the latest accepted revision, reviewed on 13 September 2017. 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Tournament details Dates 12 March 2015 -- 14 November 2017 Teams 210 ( from 6 confederations ) Tournament statistics Matches played 767 Goals scored 2,177 ( 2.84 per match ) Top scorer ( s ) Mohammad Al - Sahlawi Ahmed Khalil ( 16 goals each ) ← 2014 2022 → All statistics correct as of 5 September 2017 ( including any matches not played but awarded ). The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification process will decide 31 of the 32 teams which will play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, with Russia qualifying automatically as hosts. All 210 remaining FIFA member associations were eligible to enter the qualifying process, and for the first time in World Cup history, all eligible national teams registered for the preliminary competition, but Zimbabwe and Indonesia were disqualified before playing their first matches. Bhutan, South Sudan, Gibraltar and Kosovo made their FIFA World Cup qualification debuts. While the main qualifying draw took place at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, on 25 July 2015, a number of qualification matches were played before that. The first began in Dili, Timor Leste, on 12 March 2015 as part of the AFC 's qualification, with East Timorese player Chiquito do Carmo scoring the first goal of qualification. Matches were also played in CONCACAF prior to the main draw. Contents 1 Qualified teams 2 Qualification process 2.1 Summary of qualification 3 Format 3.1 Tiebreakers 4 Confederation qualification 4.1 AFC 4.1. 1 Final positions ( third round ) 4.1. 2 Next stage ( fourth round ) 4.2 CAF 4.2. 1 Current stage ( third round ) 4.3 CONCACAF 4.3. 1 Current stage ( fifth round ) 4.4 CONMEBOL 4.4. 1 Current stage 4.5 OFC 4.5. 1 Final positions ( third round ) 4.6 UEFA 4.6. 1 Current stage ( first round ) 4.6. 2 Next stage ( second round ) 5 Inter-confederation play - offs 5.1 CONCACAF v AFC 5.2 OFC v CONMEBOL 6 Top goalscorers 7 References 8 External links Qualified teams Team qualified for World Cup Team may qualify for World Cup Team failed to qualify for World Cup, but has matches left to play Team failed to qualify for World Cup, and all matches have been played Team expelled from the tournament by FIFA prior to playing a match Country not a FIFA member Team Method of qualification Date of qualification Finals appearance Last appearance Consecutive finals appearances Previous best performance Russia Hosts 01 2 December 2010 11th 2014 Fourth place ( 1966 ) Brazil CONMEBOL Round Robin winners 02 28 March 2017 21st 2014 21 Winners ( 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002 ) Iran AFC Third Round Group A winners 03 12 June 2017 5th 2014 Group stage ( 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014 ) Japan AFC Third Round Group B winners 04 31 August 2017 6th 2014 6 Round of 16 ( 2002, 2010 ) Mexico CONCACAF Fifth Round top 3 05 1 September 2017 16th 2014 7 Quarter - finals ( 1970, 1986 ) Belgium UEFA Group H winners 06 3 September 2017 13th 2014 Fourth place ( 1986 ) South Korea AFC Third Round Group A runners - up 07 5 September 2017 10th 2014 9 Fourth place ( 2002 ) Saudi Arabia AFC Third Round Group B runners - up 08 5 September 2017 5th 2006 Round of 16 ( 1994 ) Notes 1 : This is the 4th appearance of Russia at the FIFA World Cup. However, FIFA considers Russia as the successor team of the Soviet Union who themselves qualified on 7 occasions. 2 : Russia 's best result is group stage in 1994, 2002 and 2014. However, FIFA considers Russia as the successor team of the Soviet Union who achieved this result. Qualification process The number of teams participating in the final tournament is 32. Even though the qualification process began in March 2015, the allocation of slots for each confederation was discussed by the FIFA Executive Committee on 30 May 2015 in Zürich after the FIFA Congress. It was decided that the same allocation as 2014 would be kept for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. Summary of qualification While all FIFA members entered the tournament, not all competed. Zimbabwe were expelled from the competition on 12 March 2015 for their failure to pay former coach José Claudinei a severance fee and Indonesia were excluded from the qualifying competition following the suspension of their football association by FIFA on 30 May 2015. Kuwait had a number of their qualifiers cancelled for a similar suspension that began while their campaign was underway, which eventually resulted in their elimination. Updated as of all matches played on 5 September 2017 Confederation Teams started Teams that have qualified Teams that can still qualify Teams that have been eliminated Remaining places in finals Total places in finals Next matchday Qualifying end date AFC 46 40 0 or 1 4 or 5 5 October 2017 14 November 2017 CAF 54 0 15 39 5 5 6 October 2017 6 November 2017 CONCACAF 35 5 29 2 or 3 3 or 4 6 October 2017 14 November 2017 CONMEBOL 10 7 3 or 4 4 or 5 5 October 2017 14 November 2017 OFC 11 0 10 0 or 1 0 or 1 6 November 2017 14 November 2017 UEFA 54 + 1 1 + 1 29 24 12 13 + 1 5 October 2017 14 November 2017 Total 210 + 1 7 + 1 59 144 24 31 + 1 5 October 2017 14 November 2017 Note : One team each from AFC, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC will play in the inter-confederation play - offs, scheduled for 6 -- 14 November 2017 ( CONCACAF v AFC and OFC v CONMEBOL ). Note : UEFA total includes + 1 for Russia as hosts. Format The formats of the qualifying competitions depend on each confederation ( see below ). Each round may be played in either of the following formats : League format, where more than two teams form groups to play home - and - away round - robin matches, or in exceptions permitted by the FIFA Organizing Committee, single round - robin matches hosted by one of the participating teams or on neutral territory. Knockout format, where two teams play home - and - away two - legged matches. Tiebreakers In league format, the ranking of teams in each group is based on the following criteria ( regulations Articles 20.6 and 20.7 ) : Points ( 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss ) Overall goal difference Overall goals scored Points in matches between tied teams Goal difference in matches between tied teams Goals scored in matches between tied teams Away goals scored in matches between tied teams ( if the tie is only between two teams in home - and - away league format ) Fair play points first yellow card : minus 1 point indirect red card ( second yellow card ) : minus 3 points direct red card : minus 4 points yellow card and direct red card : minus 5 points Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee In cases where teams finishing in the same position across different groups are compared for determining which teams advance to the next stage, the criteria is decided by the confederation and require the approval of FIFA ( regulations Article 20.8 ). In knockout format, the team that has the higher aggregate score over the two legs progresses to the next round. In the event that aggregate scores finish level, the away goals rule is applied, i.e. the team that scored more goals away from home over the two legs progresses. If away goals are also equal, then thirty minutes of extra time are played, divided into two fifteen - minutes halves. The away goals rule is again applied after extra time, i.e. if there are goals scored during extra time and the aggregate score is still level, the visiting team qualifies by virtue of more away goals scored. If no goals are scored during extra time, the tie is decided by penalty shoot - out ( regulations Article 20.9 ). Confederation qualification AFC Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( AFC ) The AFC Executive Committee meeting on 16 April 2014 approved the proposal to merge the preliminary qualification rounds of the FIFA World Cup and the AFC Asian Cup, which will be expanded to 24 teams starting in 2019 : First round : A total of 12 teams ( teams ranked 35 -- 46 ) played home - and - away over two legs. The six winners advanced to the second round. Second round : A total of 40 teams ( teams ranked 1 -- 34 and six first round winners ) were divided into eight groups of five teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The eight group winners and the four best group runners - up advanced to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualification as well as qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup finals. Third round : The 12 teams ( an increase from 10 for 2014 ) which advanced from the second round were divided into two groups of six teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The top two teams of each group qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the two third - placed teams advanced to the fourth round. Fourth round : The two third - placed teams of each group from the third round will play home - and - away over two legs. The winner will advance to the inter-confederation play - offs, playing the fourth - placed CONCACAF team. A total of 24 teams eliminated from World Cup qualification in the second round compete in the third round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification ( which is separate from the third round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ), where they are divided into six groups of four teams and compete for the remaining slots of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. The 24 teams consist of the 16 highest ranked teams eliminated in the second round, and the eight teams that advanced from the play - off round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification which are contested by the remaining 12 teams eliminated in the second round. Final positions ( third round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- AFC Third Round The draw for the third round was held on 12 April 2016 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Group A Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Iran 10 6 0 10 + 8 22 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 1 -- 0 2 -- 2 2 -- 0 1 -- 0 2 -- 0 South Korea 10 11 10 + 1 15 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 0 2 -- 1 3 -- 2 3 -- 2 Syria 10 9 8 + 1 13 Advance to fourth round 0 -- 0 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 0 2 -- 2 3 -- 1 Uzbekistan 10 5 6 7 − 1 13 0 -- 1 0 -- 0 1 -- 0 -- 2 -- 0 1 -- 0 5 China PR 10 8 10 − 2 12 0 -- 0 1 -- 0 0 -- 1 1 -- 0 -- 0 -- 0 6 Qatar 10 7 8 15 − 7 7 0 -- 1 3 -- 2 1 -- 0 0 -- 1 1 -- 2 -- Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Group B Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Japan 10 6 17 7 + 10 20 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 2 -- 1 2 -- 0 1 -- 2 2 -- 1 4 -- 0 Saudi Arabia 10 6 17 10 + 7 19 1 -- 0 -- 2 -- 2 3 -- 0 1 -- 0 1 -- 0 Australia 10 5 16 11 + 5 19 Advance to fourth round 1 -- 1 3 -- 2 -- 2 -- 0 2 -- 0 2 -- 1 United Arab Emirates 10 5 10 13 − 3 13 0 -- 2 2 -- 1 0 -- 1 -- 2 -- 0 3 -- 1 5 Iraq 10 5 11 12 − 1 11 1 -- 1 1 -- 2 1 -- 1 1 -- 0 -- 4 -- 0 6 Thailand 10 0 8 6 24 − 18 0 -- 2 0 -- 3 2 -- 2 1 -- 1 1 -- 2 -- Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Next stage ( fourth round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- AFC Fourth Round The third - placed teams from each group in the third round will play against each other home - and - away over two legs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play - offs. Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg Syria Australia 5 Oct 10 Oct CAF Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( CAF ) The CAF Executive Committee approved the format for the qualifiers of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on 14 January 2015. However, on 9 July 2015 FIFA officially announced that only three rounds will be played instead of four. First round : A total of 26 teams ( teams ranked 28 -- 53 ) played home - and - away over two legs. The 13 winners advanced to the second round. Second round : A total of 40 teams ( teams ranked 1 -- 27 and 13 first round winners ) played home - and - away over two legs. The 20 winners advanced to the third round. Third round : The 20 teams which advance from the second round were divided into five groups of four teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The winners of each group will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Zimbabwe, even though they entered the competition, were expelled on 12 March 2015 for their failure to pay former coach José Claudinei a severance fee. Therefore, only 53 African teams were involved in the draw. Current stage ( third round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- CAF Third Round The draw for the third round was held on 24 June 2016 at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Group A Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Tunisia 0 7 + 4 10 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 2 -- 1 2 -- 0 6 Nov DR Congo 9 5 + 4 7 2 -- 2 -- 6 Nov 4 -- 0 Guinea ( E ) 0 7 − 3 7 Oct 1 -- 2 -- 3 -- 2 Libya ( E ) 0 8 − 5 0 -- 1 7 Oct 1 -- 0 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers ( E ) Eliminated. Group B Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Nigeria 0 10 + 7 10 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 7 Oct 4 -- 0 3 -- 1 Zambia 6 + 2 7 1 -- 2 -- 6 Nov 3 -- 1 Cameroon ( E ) 0 7 − 4 1 -- 1 1 -- 1 -- 7 Oct Algeria ( E ) 0 8 − 5 6 Nov 0 -- 1 1 -- 1 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers ( E ) Eliminated. Group C Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Ivory Coast 7 + 4 7 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 6 Nov 1 -- 2 3 -- 1 Morocco 0 6 0 + 6 6 0 -- 0 -- 7 Oct 6 -- 0 Gabon − 2 5 0 -- 3 0 -- 0 -- 6 Nov Mali 0 9 − 8 6 Oct 0 -- 0 0 -- 0 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Group D Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Burkina Faso 0 5 + 2 6 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 6 Nov 2 -- 2 1 -- 1 Cape Verde 0 6 − 2 6 0 -- 2 -- 7 Oct 2 -- 1 Senegal 0 + 2 5 0 -- 0 2 -- 0 -- 6 Nov South Africa 0 5 − 2 7 Oct 1 -- 2 Nov -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Notes : Jump up ^ FIFA ordered a replay of the South Africa v Senegal match after the Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the lifetime ban of match referee Joseph Lamptey. Originally South Africa had defeated Senegal 2 -- 1. Group E Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Egypt 0 5 + 3 9 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 1 -- 0 2 -- 0 8 Oct Uganda + 1 7 1 -- 0 -- 7 Oct 1 -- 0 Ghana 6 + 2 5 6 Nov 0 -- 0 -- 1 -- 1 Congo ( E ) 0 9 − 6 1 -- 2 6 Nov 1 -- 5 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers ( E ) Eliminated. CONCACAF Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( CONCACAF ) An amendment to the qualification process for this tournament had been suggested, which would see the first three rounds played as knockout rounds, with both the fourth round and the final round ( referred to as ' The Hex ' ) played as group stages. The first round would be played during the FIFA international dates of 23 -- 31 March 2015. CONCACAF announced the full details on 12 January 2015 : First round : A total of 14 teams ( teams ranked 22 -- 35 ) played home - and - away over two legs. The seven winners advanced to the second round. Second round : A total of 20 teams ( teams ranked 9 -- 21 and seven first round winners ) played home - and - away over two legs. The ten winners advanced to the third round. Third round : A total of 12 teams ( teams ranked 7 -- 8 and ten second round winners ) played home - and - away over two legs. The six winners advanced to the fourth round. Fourth round : A total of 12 teams ( teams ranked 1 -- 6 and six third round winners ) were divided into three groups of four teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The top two teams of each group advanced to the fifth round. Fifth round : The six teams which advanced from the fourth round will play home - and - away round - robin matches in one single group. The top three teams will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the fourth - placed team will advance to the inter-confederation play - offs, playing the winner of the Asian Football Confederation play - off. Current stage ( fifth round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- CONCACAF Fifth Round The draw for the fifth round ( to decide the fixtures ) was held on 8 July 2016 at the CONCACAF headquarters in Miami Beach, United States. Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Mexico ( Q ) 8 5 0 11 + 8 18 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 2 -- 0 1 -- 0 1 -- 1 3 -- 0 6 Oct Costa Rica ( X ) 8 12 5 + 7 15 1 -- 1 -- 0 -- 0 4 -- 0 6 Oct 2 -- 1 Panama 8 7 5 + 2 10 0 -- 0 10 Oct -- 1 -- 1 2 -- 2 3 -- 0 United States 8 12 11 + 1 9 Advance to inter-confederation play - offs 1 -- 2 0 -- 2 6 Oct -- 6 -- 0 2 -- 0 5 Honduras 8 9 16 − 7 9 10 Oct 1 -- 1 0 -- 1 1 -- 1 -- 3 -- 1 6 Trinidad and Tobago ( Z ) 8 0 7 15 − 11 0 -- 1 0 -- 2 1 -- 0 10 Oct 1 -- 2 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers ( Q ) Qualified to the phase indicated ; ( X ) Assured of at least inter-confederation play - offs ; ( Z ) Cannot qualify directly, but can still qualify via play - offs. CONMEBOL Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( CONMEBOL ) The qualification structure is the same as the previous five editions. The ten teams will play in a league of home - and - away round - robin matches. The top four teams will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the fifth - placed team will advance to the inter-confederation play - offs, playing the winner of the Oceania Football Confederation qualifying competition. Unlike previous qualifying tournaments where the fixtures were pre-determined, the fixtures were decided by a draw held on 25 July 2015, at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Current stage Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Brazil ( Q ) 16 11 38 11 + 27 37 Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup -- 2 -- 2 2 -- 1 3 -- 0 3 -- 0 MD18 3 -- 0 2 -- 0 5 -- 0 3 -- 1 Uruguay 16 8 5 28 18 + 10 27 1 -- 4 -- 3 -- 0 1 -- 0 0 -- 0 3 -- 0 4 -- 0 2 -- 1 MD18 3 -- 0 Colombia 16 7 5 19 16 + 3 26 1 -- 1 2 -- 2 -- 2 -- 0 0 -- 1 0 -- 0 MD17 3 -- 1 1 -- 0 2 -- 0 Peru 16 7 6 26 25 + 1 24 0 -- 2 2 -- 1 MD18 -- 2 -- 2 3 -- 4 1 -- 0 2 -- 1 2 -- 1 2 -- 2 5 Argentina 16 6 6 16 15 + 1 24 Advance to inter-confederation play - offs 1 -- 1 1 -- 0 3 -- 0 MD17 -- 1 -- 0 0 -- 1 0 -- 2 2 -- 0 1 -- 1 6 Chile 16 7 7 24 23 + 1 23 2 -- 0 3 -- 1 1 -- 1 2 -- 1 1 -- 2 -- 0 -- 3 MD17 3 -- 0 3 -- 1 7 Paraguay 16 6 7 17 23 − 6 21 2 -- 2 1 -- 2 0 -- 1 1 -- 4 0 -- 0 2 -- 1 -- 2 -- 1 2 -- 1 MD18 8 Ecuador 16 6 8 24 24 0 20 0 -- 3 2 -- 1 0 -- 2 1 -- 2 MD18 3 -- 0 2 -- 2 -- 2 -- 0 3 -- 0 9 Bolivia ( E ) 16 11 14 34 − 20 13 MD17 0 -- 2 2 -- 3 0 -- 3 2 -- 0 1 -- 0 1 -- 0 2 -- 2 -- 4 -- 2 10 Venezuela ( E ) 16 5 10 18 35 − 17 8 0 -- 2 MD17 0 -- 0 2 -- 2 2 -- 2 1 -- 4 0 -- 1 1 -- 3 5 -- 0 -- Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers ( E ) Eliminated ; ( Q ) Qualified to the phase indicated. Notes : ^ Jump up to : FIFA awarded Peru and Chile 3 -- 0 wins as a result of Bolivia fielding the ineligible player Nelson Cabrera. Originally Bolivia had defeated Peru 2 -- 0 and drawn 0 -- 0 with Chile. Nelson Cabrera had previously represented Paraguay and did not meet eligibility rules. OFC Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( OFC ) The qualification structure was as follows : First round : American Samoa, Cook Islands, Samoa, and Tonga played a round - robin tournament at a single country. The winner advanced to the second round. Second round ( OFC Nations Cup ) : A total of eight teams ( Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Vanuatu, and the first round winner ) played the tournament at a single country. For the group stage, they were divided into two groups of four teams. The top three teams of each group advanced to the third round of World Cup qualifying. The top two teams of each group also advanced to the knockout stage ( semi-finals and final ) to decide the 2016 OFC Nations Cup winner which would play in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Third round : The six teams which advanced from the second round were divided into two groups of three teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The two group winners met in a two - legged match with the winner advancing to the inter-confederation play - offs, playing the fifth - placed South American team. The OFC had considered different proposals of the qualifying tournament. A previous proposal adopted by the OFC in October 2014 would have the eight teams divided into two groups of four teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches in the second round, followed by the top two teams of each group advancing to the third round to play in a single group of home - and - away round - robin matches to decide the winner of the 2016 OFC Nations Cup which would qualify to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup and advance to the inter-confederation play - offs. However, it was later reported in April 2015 that the OFC had reversed its decision, and the 2016 OFC Nations Cup was played as a one - off tournament similar to the 2012 OFC Nations Cup. Final positions ( third round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- OFC Third Round The draw for the third round was held on 8 July 2016 at the OFC headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand. Group A Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification New Zealand 0 6 0 + 6 10 Advance to OFC Final -- 2 -- 0 2 -- 0 New Caledonia 5 − 1 5 0 -- 0 -- 2 -- 1 Fiji 0 8 − 5 0 -- 2 2 -- 2 -- Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Group B Pos Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Solomon Islands 0 6 6 0 9 Advance to OFC Final -- 1 -- 0 3 -- 2 Tahiti 0 7 + 3 6 3 -- 0 -- 1 -- 2 Papua New Guinea 0 6 9 − 3 1 -- 2 1 -- 3 -- Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Qualification tiebreakers Notes : Jump up ^ FIFA awarded Tahiti a 3 -- 0 win as a result of the Solomon Islands fielding the ineligible player Henry Fa'arodo, after Tahiti had defeated the Solomon Islands 1 -- 0. Fa'arodo failed to serve a one - game ban after receiving two yellow cards in the 2016 OFC Nations Cup. Final The draw for the final ( which decided the order of legs ) was held on 15 June 2017 at the OFC headquarters in Auckland, New Zealand. The winner of the final advances to inter-confederation play - offs. Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg New Zealand 8 -- 3 Solomon Islands 6 -- 1 2 -- 2 UEFA Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( UEFA ) Russia have qualified automatically as hosts. The qualifying format for the remaining FIFA - affiliated UEFA teams was confirmed by the UEFA Executive Committee meeting on 22 -- 23 March 2015 in Vienna. The draw for the UEFA zone took place on 25 July 2015 in St. Petersburg. First round ( group stage ) : The 52 UEFA teams affiliated with FIFA at the time of the draw were divided into nine groups ( seven groups of six teams and two groups of five teams ) to play home - and - away round - robin matches. The winners of each group will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the eight best runners - up will advance to the second round ( play - offs ). Second round ( play - offs ) : The eight best runners - up from the first round will play home - and - away over two legs. The four winners will qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. With the admission of Gibraltar and Kosovo as FIFA members in May 2016, both national teams were eligible to make their debuts in World Cup qualifying. With two groups of only five teams in the first round, Kosovo was assigned to group I as it was decided that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia should not play against Kosovo for security reasons, and Gibraltar was then added to group H. UEFA has confirmed that, even after the admission of Kosovo and Gibraltar and with all groups now containing six teams, this regulation has not changed and matches against the teams sixth in all groups will still be discarded. Current stage ( first round ) The draw for the first round was held on 25 July 2015, at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, Russia. Qualification to 2018 FIFA World Cup Possible advancement to Second round ( play - offs ). The eight best runners - up across all groups will advance to the Second round ( play - offs ). Group A Group B Group C Pos Team Pld Pts France 8 17 Sweden 8 16 Netherlands 8 13 Bulgaria 8 12 5 Luxembourg ( E ) 8 5 6 Belarus ( E ) 8 5 Updated to match ( es ) played on 3 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated. Pos Team Pld Pts Switzerland ( X ) 8 24 Portugal ( X ) 8 21 Hungary ( E ) 8 10 Faroe Islands ( E ) 8 8 5 Andorra ( E ) 8 6 Latvia ( E ) 8 Updated to match ( es ) played on 3 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated ; ( X ) Assured of at least play - offs. Pos Team Pld Pts Germany ( X ) 8 24 Northern Ireland ( Y ) 8 19 Azerbaijan ( E ) 8 10 Czech Republic ( E ) 8 9 5 Norway ( E ) 8 7 6 San Marino ( E ) 8 0 Updated to match ( es ) played on 4 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated ; ( X ) Assured of at least play - offs ; ( Y ) Assured of at least second place, but not assured of play - offs. Group D Group E Group F Pos Team Pld Pts Serbia ( Y ) 8 18 Wales 8 14 Republic of Ireland 8 13 Austria ( Z ) 8 9 5 Georgia ( E ) 8 5 6 Moldova ( E ) 8 Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated ; ( Y ) Assured of at least second place, but not assured of play - offs ; ( Z ) Cannot qualify directly, but can still qualify via play - offs. Pos Team Pld Pts Poland 8 19 Montenegro 8 16 Denmark 8 16 Romania ( E ) 8 9 5 Armenia ( E ) 8 6 6 Kazakhstan ( E ) 8 Updated to match ( es ) played on 4 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated. Pos Team Pld Pts England 8 20 Slovakia 8 15 Slovenia 8 14 Scotland 8 14 5 Lithuania ( E ) 8 5 6 Malta ( E ) 8 0 Updated to match ( es ) played on 4 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated. Group G Group H Group I Pos Team Pld Pts Spain ( X ) 8 22 Italy 8 19 Albania ( Z ) 8 13 Israel ( E ) 8 9 5 Macedonia ( E ) 8 7 6 Liechtenstein ( E ) 8 0 Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated ; ( X ) Assured of at least play - offs ; ( Z ) Cannot qualify directly, but can still qualify via play - offs. Pos Team Pld Pts Belgium ( Q ) 8 22 Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Z ) 8 14 Greece ( Z ) 8 13 Cyprus ( Z ) 8 10 5 Estonia ( E ) 8 8 6 Gibraltar ( E ) 8 0 Updated to match ( es ) played on 3 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated ; ( Q ) Qualified to the phase indicated ; ( Z ) Cannot qualify directly, but can still qualify via play - offs. Pos Team Pld Pts Croatia 8 16 Iceland 8 16 Turkey 8 14 Ukraine 8 14 5 Finland ( E ) 8 7 6 Kosovo ( E ) 8 Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA ( E ) Eliminated. Ranking of runners - up Pos Grp Team Pld GF GA GD Pts Qualification Portugal ( X ) 6 5 0 21 + 18 15 Advance to second round ( play - offs ) Northern Ireland ( Y ) 6 9 + 7 13 Italy 6 10 7 + 3 13 Iceland 7 9 6 + 3 13 5 Slovakia 7 0 11 5 + 6 12 6 Sweden 6 10 7 + 3 10 7 Montenegro 6 10 7 + 3 10 8 Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Z ) 6 10 8 + 2 8 9 Wales 6 5 0 6 5 + 1 8 Updated to match ( es ) played on 5 September 2017. Source : FIFA Rules for classification : Counting only matches against teams ranked first to fifth in the group, 1 ) Points ; 2 ) Goal difference ; 3 ) Goals scored ; 4 ) Away goals scored ; 5 ) Fair play points. ( X ) Top two teams in group are known and assured of at least play - offs ; ( Y ) Top two teams in group are known but at least one team is not assured of play - offs ; ( Z ) Top team in group is known and remaining teams in group can only qualify via play - offs. Next stage ( second round ) Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification -- UEFA Second Round The draw for the second round ( play - offs ) will be held on 17 October 2017 at the FIFA headquarters in Zürich, Switzerland. The winner of each tie will qualify for the World Cup. Inter-confederation play - offs Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( inter-confederation play - offs ) The inter-confederation play - offs are scheduled to be played between 6 -- 14 November 2017. The matchups were decided at the preliminary draw which was held on 25 July 2015, at the Konstantinovsky Palace in Strelna, Saint Petersburg, Russia. CONCACAF v AFC Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( CONCACAF -- AFC play - off ) Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg CONCACAF 4th place Play - off 1 AFC 5th place 6 Nov 14 Nov OFC v CONMEBOL Main article : 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification ( OFC -- CONMEBOL play - off ) Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg New Zealand Play - off 2 CONMEBOL 5th place 6 Nov 14 Nov Top goalscorers Updated as of all matches played on 5 September 2017 Note : Players in bold are still active in the competition. 16 goals Mohammad Al - Sahlawi Ahmed Khalil 14 goals Cristiano Ronaldo 12 goals Robert Lewandowski 11 goals Sardar Azmoun 10 goals Romelu Lukaku Omar Kharbin 9 goals Tim Cahill Carlos Ruiz Hassan Al - Haidos Ali Mabkhout Edinson Cavani 8 goals Yang Xu Mehdi Taremi Chris Wood References Jump up ^ `` Road to Russia with new milestone ''. FIFA.com. 15 January 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Zimbabwe expelled from the preliminary competition of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia ''. FIFA.com. 12 March 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Impact of Football Association of Indonesia suspension ''. AFC. 3 June 2015. Jump up ^ `` Modest Bhutan begin World Cup adventure ''. FIFA.com. 11 March 2015. Archived from the original on 13 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` South Sudan 's World Cup debut ended early by rain ''. bbc.co.uk. 7 October 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` FIFA Congress drives football forward, first female secretary general appointed ''. FIFA.com. 13 May 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Kosovo to play in Group I in European Qualifiers ''. uefa.org. Union of European Football Associations ( UEFA ). 9 June 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Kosovo and Gibraltar assigned to 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying groups ''. FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association ( FIFA ). 9 June 2016. Jump up ^ `` Organising Committee for the FIFA World Cup extends its responsibilities to cover 2018 and 2022 ''. FIFA.com. 19 March 2013. Jump up ^ `` Konstantinovsky Palace to stage Preliminary Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup ''. FIFA.com. 10 October 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ethics : Executive Committee unanimously supports recommendation to publish report on 2018 / 2022 FIFA World Cup TM bidding process ''. FIFA.com. 19 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` Long road to Russia begins in Dili ''. FIFA.com. 11 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` 2022 FIFA World Cup to be played in November / December ''. FIFA.com. 20 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Current allocation of FIFA World Cup TM confederation slots maintained ''. FIFA.com. 30 May 2015. Jump up ^ `` Suspension of the Kuwait Football Association ''. FIFA.com. 16 October 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Regulations -- 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia '' ( PDF ). FIFA.com. Jump up ^ `` ExCo approves expanded AFC Asian Cup finals ''. AFC. 16 April 2014. Jump up ^ `` World Cup draw looms large in Asia ''. FIFA.com. 13 April 2015. Completing the tournament 's qualifying contenders will be the next 16 highest ranked teams, with the remaining 12 sides battling it out in play - off matches to claim the last eight spots. Jump up ^ `` 2018 FIFA World Cup : Asian Qualifying Round 3 line up complete ''. Asian Football Confederation. 30 March 2016. Jump up ^ `` FORMAT OF 2017 AFCON QUALIFIERS AND 2018 WORLD CUP ''. CAFonline.com. 22 January 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2015. ^ Jump up to : `` Preliminary Draw procedures outlined ''. fifa.com. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` June draw for third round of African Zone qualifiers ''. FIFA.com. 20 November 2015. Jump up ^ `` South Africa vs. Senegal World Cup qualifier to be replayed in November ''. FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` Concacaf estrenará formato de eliminatoria ; sigue el Hexagonal '' ( New format for Concacaf qualification - Hexagonal retained ) ( in Spanish ). ESPN Mexico. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` Canada begins 2018 World Cup qualification in June ''. Sportsnet. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014. Jump up ^ `` CONCACAF to Hold Preliminary FIFA World Cup Qualifying Draw in Miami on January 15 ''. CONCACAF. 12 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` USMNT to start 2018 World Cup qualifying in November of 2015 ''. Sports Illustrated. 12 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Official Draw Scheduled for the Final Round of CONCACAF Qualifying for FIFA World Cup Russia 2018 ''. CONCACAF.com. 1 July 2016. Jump up ^ `` A unanimous decision : A draw will determine the classifications for the World Cup and CONMEBOL Tournaments ''. CONMEBOL.com. 23 January 2015. Jump up ^ `` Bolivia sanctioned for fielding ineligible player ''. FIFA.com. 1 November 2016. Jump up ^ `` Preliminary competition format outlined ''. Oceania Football Confederation. 10 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` OFC Executive Committee decisions ''. OFC. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2014. Jump up ^ `` OFC Executive Committee outcomes ''. Oceania Football Confederation. 20 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Jump up ^ `` Football : Heat goes on NZ after switch ''. New Zealand Herald. 12 April 2015. Jump up ^ `` Stage 3 draw complete ''. Oceania Football Confederation. Archived from the original on 19 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Several member associations sanctioned for incidents during FIFA World Cup qualifiers and friendlies ''. FIFA.com. 19 December 2016. Jump up ^ `` New Zealand at home first in OFC play - off ''. FIFA. Retrieved 15 June 2017. Jump up ^ `` Executive Committee date in Vienna ''. UEFA.org. 21 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` New distribution concept for club competitions approved ''. UEFA.org. 23 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` UEFA 2018 Qualifying Format ''. ESPN.co.uk. 23 March 2015. Jump up ^ `` Focus switches to World Cup qualifying ''. UEFA.com. 22 August 2016. Jump up ^ `` Competition format - FIFA World Cup - News - UEFA.com ''. uefa.com. UEFA. Retrieved 4 June 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` FIFA World Cup European play - off draw to take place on 17 October ''. FIFA.com. 6 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` FIFA Calendar ''. FIFA.com. External links Official FIFA World Cup website Qualifiers, FIFA.com 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification AFC First Round Second Round Third Round Fourth Round ( play - off ) CAF First Round Second Round Third Round CONCACAF First Round Second Round Third Round Fourth Round Fifth Round CONMEBOL Round Robin OFC First Round Second Round ( Nations Cup ) Third Round UEFA First Round Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H Group I Second Round ( play - offs ) Play - offs CONCACAF v AFC OFC v CONMEBOL 2018 FIFA World Cup Stages Qualification Group stage Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H Knockout stage Final General information Awards Bids Broadcasting rights Controversies Discipline Marketing Mascot Officials Opening ceremony Preparations Seeding Squads Statistics Venues FIFA World Cup Tournaments Uruguay 1930 Italy 1934 France 1938 Brazil 1950 Switzerland 1954 Sweden 1958 Chile 1962 England 1966 Mexico 1970 West Germany 1974 Argentina 1978 Spain 1982 Mexico 1986 Italy 1990 United States 1994 France 1998 South Korea / Japan 2002 Germany 2006 South Africa 2010 Brazil 2014 Russia 2018 Qatar 2022 2026 2030 Qualification 1930 1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2014 2018 Finals 1930 1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2014 Squads 1930 1934 1938 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002 2006 2014 Seedings 1998 2002 2006 2014 Broadcasters 1998 2002 2006 2014 2018 Bids 2014 2018 and 2022 2026 2030 Records and statistics All - time table Goalscorers top goalscorers finals goalscorers hat - tricks own goals Penalty shoot - outs Player appearances Red cards Referees Team appearances Teams with no appearances Miscellaneous Awards Balls Economics Final draw History Hosts Mascots Official films Official songs Organisers Trophy Video games Notes : There was no qualification for the 1930 World Cup as places were given by invitation only. In 1950, there was no final ; the article is about the decisive match of the final group stage. Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2018_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification&oldid=800377626 '' Categories : 2018 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup qualification 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification Hidden categories : CS1 Spanish - language sources ( es ) Wikipedia semi-protected pages Wikipedia pending changes protected pages ( level 1 ) Use dmy dates from February 2016 Talk View source Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca বাংলা Български Bosanski Català Čeština Deutsch Ελληνικά Español فارسی Français 한국어 Bahasa Indonesia Italiano עברית Latviešu Magyar Bahasa Melayu Nederlands नेपाली 日本 語 Português Română Русский Slovenščina Српски / srpski Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 13 September 2017, at 04 : 43. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. 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Question: teams who have qualified for the world cup
Answer: Russia