Twelve down, dual to go: Europe’s World Cup contenders

The play-off proviso of a European Qualifiers is in full swing, with Switzerland and Croatia a initial teams to join a 9 sides who surfaced their sections to acquire a place 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.

WATCH QUALIFYING HIGHLIGHTS

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

*Via play-offs

There are still dual European places adult for grabs from a remaining play-off ties. The 8 best runners-up (Slovakia missed out) competent for a play-offs, hold between 9 and 14 November.

Croatia applaud their qualification©AFP/Getty Images

UEFA play-offs (4 spots): Italy v Sweden (0-1, second leg Monday), Republic of Ireland v Denmark (0-0, second leg Tuesday), Switzerland v Northern Ireland (agg: 1-0), Greece v Croatia (agg: 1-4)

Non-UEFA qualifiers: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, South Korea,  Tunisia, Uruguay

Intercontinental play-offs (2 spots): Australia v Honduras (0-0, second leg Wednesday), Peru v New Zealand (0-0, second leg Thursday)

• How a groups ended
• Lewandowski tops scoring chart

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)

Croatia
Previous finals: 4 – 1998, 2002, 2006, 2014
Best performance: Third place (1998)

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)

Switzerland kick Northern Ireland in a play-offs©AFP

Switzerland
Previous finals: 10 – 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1962, 1966, 1994, 2006, 2010, 2014
Best performance: Quarter-finals (1934, 1938, 1954)

Did we know?

• European sides have won 9 of a 10 prior World Cups staged on this continent.
• Ten of Europe’s 12 reliable member (Iceland and Switzerland excluded) have formerly reached during slightest a semi-finals.
• 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).