European Teams (UEFA)

Three ever-present heavyweights plus two relative newcomers are already through from a region which will eventually have nine teams in Brazil. Germany, Italy and Netherlands have all secured there spots before the end of this international break and are joined by true cup contenders Belgium as well as Switzerland.

Germany secured their spot with a 3-0 waltz past the Republic of Ireland on Friday while Belgium had a Romelu Lukaku brace to thank for their 2-1 victory over Croatia.

Meanwhile, aside from the nine group winners, the eight best second-placed teams will face off in two-legged ties in November for their place in Rio. Teams like England and Spain look likely to seal qualification, while fellow heavyweights Portugal and France might have to enter playoffs.

South American Teams (CONMEBOL)

Colombia joined Argentina and hosts Brazil as sure competitors with a remarkable comeback from 3-0 down against Chile. Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez and Company cancelled out a superb firsthalf performance from Alexis Sanchez to claim and 3-3 draw.

Two teams from the trio of Chile, Ecuador and Uruguay will join the automatic qualifiers, however the other will probably travel to Rio as well. A draw between Chile and Ecuador today would see both teams assured a top-four finish and qualification, while Uruguay would gave to beat Argentina and hope for a result.

Nevertheless, the fifth-placed team would play Jordan (from Asia) in a two-legged playoff for qualification with all three sides being considerably stronger on paper than the Jordanians.

African Teams (CAF)

None of the African teams are yet assured of their place, however, by November’s second legs, five of 10 teams will know their fate.

An Emanuel Emenike brace sees Nigeria heading into their final clash against Ethiopia with a 2-1 first-leg advantage. Tunisia and Cameroon ended goalless, however, with Cameroon hosting the next leg. Otherwise, Ghana is wrapped up in a battle with Egypt, Algeria with Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast with Senegal.

Caribbean and Central American Teams

In this group we all know already that Jamaica will not be going after their 2-0 loss to USA. From this group, nonetheless, USA and Costa Rica are guaranteed places while Honduras and Mexico are battling for the third guarantee.

Honduras are in the ascension, needing only a draw against the Reggae Boyz to secure qualification while Mexico must hope Honduras lose and win soundly in order to not be battling Panama for the right to play Oceania team New Zealand for their qualification.

Asian Teams (AFC)

Australia, Iran, Japan and South Korea are already assured of their places while Jordan will have an aforementioned tough task of making it to Brazil.

Oceanian Teams (OFC)

It is the unfortunate truth that Oceania will probably not have a representative at the World Cup as New Zealand will have to overcome one of Honduras, Mexico or Panama to make the qualifying grade.

  — Yakum Fitz-Henley