Ten down, 4 to go: Europe’s World Cup contenders

The organisation proviso of a European Qualifiers has concluded, with a 9 teams who surfaced their sections earning places alongside hosts Russia during subsequent summer’s FIFA World Cup. The final contest pull takes place in Moscow on 1 Dec and a finals run from 14 Jun to 15 July.

UEFA qualifiers: Belgium, England, France, Germany (holders), Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Russia (hosts), Serbia, Spain

There are still 4 European places adult for grabs, contested by a 8 best runners-up (Slovakia skip out), with a play-offs scheduled between 9 and 14 November.

• Ranking of second-placed teams

Italy still have to book their place©Getty Images

UEFA play-offs (4 spots): Northern Ireland v Switzerland (9 12 November), Croatia v Greece (9 12 November), Sweden v Italy (10 13 November), Denmark v Republic of Ireland (11 14 November)

Non-UEFA qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uruguay, Senegal, and 2 some-more African qualifiers tbc in November

Intercontinental play-offs (2 spots): Honduras v Australia (10 15 November), New Zealand v Peru (11 15 November)

• How a groups ended
• Lewandowski tops scoring draft with record tally

Single yellow cards and compare suspensions ensuing from dual cautions in dual opposite matches will NOT be carried over to a final contest in Russia.

World Cup pedigree

Russia (hosts)
Previous finals: 10 – 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990 (as Soviet Union) 1994, 2002, 2014 (as Russia)
Best performance: Fourth place (1966)

Belgium were a initial Europeans to qualify©AFP/Getty Images

Belgium
Previous finals: 12 – 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014
Best performance: Fourth place (1986)

England
Previous finals: 13 – 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Winners (1966)

France
Previous finals: 14 – 1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Winners (1998)

Germany
Previous finals: 18 – 1934, 1938, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990 (as West Germany), 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)

Iceland celebrate©AFP/Getty Images

Iceland
Previous finals: 0
Best performance: debut

Portugal
Previous finals: 6 – 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Third place (1966)

Poland
Previous finals: 7 – 1938, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2006
Best performance: Third place (1974, 1982)

Serbia
Previous finals: 11 – 1930, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1974, 1982, 1990 (as Yugoslavia), 1998, 2006 (as Serbia and Montenegro), 2010
Best performance: Fourth place (1930, 1962)

Spain
Previous finals: 14 – 1934, 1950, 1962, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Winners (2010)

Did we know?

• European sides have won 9 of a 10 prior World Cups staged on this continent.
• All 10 European teams by automatically (including Russia) have formerly reached during slightest a semi-finals bar debutants Iceland.
• Iceland will turn a initial republic with a race of underneath one million to beauty a World Cup.
• Hosts have won a World Cup 6 times: France (1998), Argentina (1978), West Germany (1974), England (1966), Italy (1934), Uruguay (1930).