Qatar is preparing to host the first Fifa World Cup in the Middle East later this year, but a few spaces remain available alongside the likes of England, Germany, Brazil and Argentina.
How many teams are in the World Cup?
Thirty-two countries will head to Qatar during the European winter looking to compete for global football bragging rights. The 2022 edition is the final edition of the tournament with 32 sides, before the competition will expand to 48 in 2026 in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Of the 210 teams to enter the qualifying stages around the world, 27 have now booked a spot in the finals. Most qualifying play-offs will take place in March to determine the final nations involved. Qatar automatically qualified for the World Cup as the host nation.
Europe is the most-represented continent as UEFA earned 13 entries. Ten spots are given to those who topped the qualifying groups, plus three via the play-offs. They are contested by the 10 runners-up, plus two best-ranked Nations League group winners not already in.
Five countries are guaranteed to represent Africa, along with four Asian countries, four South American nations and three from North/Central America and the Caribbean.
A further two will qualify from an inter-confederation play-off to be held in June. The tie will feature a team from South America, Asia, North America and Oceania.
Which teams have qualified for 2022 World Cup?
England are the only home nation to already qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Three Lions topped Group I unbeaten under Gareth Southgate ahead of Poland, Albania, Hungary, Andorra and San Marino. Poland were to play now-excluded Russia in a play-off.
Instead, Poland faced and beat Sweden 2-0 after their 1-0 win over the Czech Republic. Wales will also face the winner of Scotland versus Ukraine once the tie is rescheduled after beating Austria 2-1.
Portugal won Europe’s Path C play-off route after edging North Macedonia, who beat Turkey and Italy respectively in the semis.
Wales, Scotland and Ukraine will now aim to join England, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia, Germany, Poland and Portugal as UEFA’s representatives in Qatar.
Along with hosts Qatar, Brazil, Argentina, Iran and South Korea had qualified for the World Cup without the need for play-offs. Ecuador and Uruguay have now also qualified from South America.
Peru can still qualify through the inter-confederation play-off. They will face the winner of the United Arab Emirates versus Australia in the Oceania play-off in June.
Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco and Cameroon will represent Africa at the World Cup. Saudi Arabia and Japan, meanwhile, have qualified, Canada, Mexico and the United States will represent Concacaf.
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