FIFA World Cup 2018: Who has qualified, who is in danger?

The World Cup is edging ever closer with just over nine months until the tournament kicks off in Russia.

The month-long tournament will take place between June 14 and July 15 with 32 national teams showcasing their talents on the biggest stage in football.

The hosts are the only automatic qualifiers this year after a decision was made to take away the holders' rights to a free pass into the finals, not that it's affected Germany, who look set to secure qualification.

Of the 32 teams, 14 (including Russia) will fill the European contingent of qualifiers while five will qualify from Africa.

Depending on how the play-off picture forms, four or five will make it from Asia, three or four from North America, four or five from South America and either none or one from Oceania.

So, who can already start planning their Russian adventure? Who are in danger of missing out? Let's take a look…

Who's already qualified?

Eight teams, including Russia, are already guaranteed a spot at next summer's football extravaganza.

Belgium, Brazil, Mexico, Iran, Japan, Korea Republic and Saudi Arabia have all got their business done early by flying through their qualifying campaigns.

Belgium became the first European side to join hosts Russia at next summer after securing top spot in Group H by taking 22 points from their first eight games.

Brazil look back to the rip-roaring best judging by their qualification campaign. They booked their place in Russia in March under the watchful eye of their new coach Tite, who has made a huge impact.

It's hardly a surprise to see Mexico already in the hat as they cruised through the North, Central and Caribbean section, securing their place with a 1-0 win over Panama.

Former Manchester United assistant boss Carlos Queiroz has stamped his authority all over Iran, who have kept 12 consecutive clean sheets in qualifying through the Asia section while the likes of Keisuke Honda, Borussia Dortmund's Shinji Kagawa and Leicester's Shinji Okazaki have spearheaded Japan's surge to Russia, where they saw off Australia 2-0 along the way.

Saudi Arabia finished just one point behind Japan in Group B to seal their qualification, while Korea Republic will be appearing at the finals for the ninth successive tournament after a 0-0 draw away to Uzbekistan on Tuesday ensured the Taeguk Warriors finish in second place in Group A of the Asia qualifying section.

Who's close?

In Europe, Germany, England, Spain and Serbia are on the cusp of qualification with two games remaining.

The current World Cup holders would have secured progress had Northern Ireland failed to defeat Czech Republic on Monday, but the defending champions will advance if they avoid defeat in Belfast next month.

England need just two points from their remaining fixtures against Slovenia and Lithuania to top Group F having taken 20 points from their first eight matches.

Serbia took control of Group D with a dogged 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland and are now just one win away from securing top-spot.

Spain know four points from their remaining two games will be enough to be completely certain of a place in the finals - although their goal difference advantage over Italy in second means just one more win should do the job.

Costa Rica are almost certain to join Mexico in gaining automatic qualification from North, Central America and Caribbean section of qualification. They need just two points from their remaining two games against Honduras and Panama.

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Who's in contention?

Despite a jaw-dropping 0-0 draw in Toulouse against Luxembourg, France still have qualification in their own hands. They know that two victories in their final games against Bulgaria and Belarus will see them top Group A.

Poland find themselves in the same boat as France with two more victories required in Group D to guarantee a place in Russia. They face a trip to Armenia and an intriguing fixture with their closest challengers Montenegro, who are three points behind, on the final match day.

The fight for automatic qualification in Group B will probably go down to the final game. Switzerland lead Portugal by three points with two games to play but the two pacesetters meet in Lisbon on the final match day. Portugual's superior goal difference means that a victory for the European Champions would see them top the group on goal difference.

No African team has guaranteed their place at the finals yet although Nigeria are just one win away. If the Super Eagles beat Zambia in October, they can start booking their tickets.

Who's in danger?

Argentina and Chile's automatic World Cup qualification hopes are in doubt.

Argentina's recent 1-1 draw with Venezuela left the 2014 World Cup finalists outside the automatic qualifying places in fifth and sets up a tense final two fixtures, where they play Peru and face a tough test at altitude in Ecuador.

Meanwhile, Chile are sixth with 23 points after losing 1-0 to Bolivia. They look favourites to miss out on one of the four automatic spots as they still face a trip to Brazil in their penultimate match.

A fifth placed finish for either team would leave them facing a two-legged play-off against New Zealand or the Solomon Islands.

European powerhouses Netherlands need a minor miracle in order to qualify, even after beating Bulgaria in Amsterdam on Sunday.

The 2010 World Cup finalists need a victory against Belarus in October followed by a convincing win, which would swing their inferior goal difference, over Sweden in the final game to have any hope of nicking a play-off place. This is assuming Sweden will beat Luxembourg in their penultimate game.

Italy look as though they'll need to come through a play-off to reach the finals - as could European Championship winners Portugal and semi-finalists Wales.

USA are in danger of missing out. Victory over Panama and Trinidad in their final two games will seal a berth at an eighth consecutive World Cup. However, any slip ups will drop them to fourth place in their group, which would mean a play-off against Australia or Syria awaits.

Africa Cup of Nations champions Cameroon won't be in Russia after failing to land a blow in the qualification process. The one-time World Cup quarter-finalists drew with Nigeria in Yaounde on Monday, which signalled the end of their chances.

Time is running out for Qatar to put together a competitive team when they host the 2022 World Cup. Despite hopes of qualifying for Russia at the start of their campaign, they finished well off the pace in Group A in the Asia qualifying section, losing six of their 10 matches.