From now to Wednesday, we will know most of the teams who will fight to be world champions in Russia next summer. Some places will remain undecided until the play-offs, but the world of football is in for an emotional roller coaster ride in the next few days.
With the 2018 World Cup qualifying stages drawing to a close, the likes of Portugal, Argentina or Poland are yet to secure their presence in Russia. The last round of fixtures will prove decisive to determine which sides finally feature in the competition. Four nerve-racking days of football.
Sunday, October 8 (Europe)
Poland will qualify if they avoid defeat by Montenegro. They can even make it by losing, as long as Denmark fail to beat Romania. The Scandinavians need a win and hope for Lewandowski's team to lose.
Sunday, October 8 (Africa)
If they brush aside DR Congo at home, Mo Salah's Egypt will be in the World Cup next summer.
Monday, October 9 (Europe)
One of the countries whose future is on the line on Tuesday is Serbia, who need to beat Georgia. If they draw, their presence in Russia will be contingent on two possible outcomes: if Wales and Ireland draw or the Irish win by fewer than four goals.
Wales' hopes rest on winning and hoping Serbia cannot. Ireland need to rout Wales by at least five goals and hope Serbia do not get a positive result out of their clash with Georgia.
Iceland will hope to beat minnows Kosovo, but a single point out of that game will suffice to see them over the line if Croatia and Ukraine draw or if the latter win by 1-0. The Balkan side, featuring Modric and Rakitic, need to win and pray for an unexpected Iceland defeat.
If Iceland lose, Ukraine could also be in the World Cup. If Iceland draw, scoring at least two goals will clinch it for Ukraine.
Tuesday. October 10 (Europe)
Victory over Belarus will see France triumph in the qualifying campaign. Any other possible outcome could also be enough, as long as they are emulated by Sweden.
The Swedes thus need to beat the Netherlands and hope for an unlikely French loss. In Group B, Portugal and Switzerland will go head-to-head in a clash to decide who tops the group.
Wednesday, October 11 (South America)
Beating Bolivia will see Uruguay into the World Cup, or even a draw between Colombia and Peru. Alexis Sanchez and Chile need to overcome Brazil and, if not, they would need a draw and for Paraguay to score under six goals.
Colombia are also perilously close to failing to qualify. They need to beat Peru, or a draw will do as long as Argentina drop points and Paraguay don't find the net six times.
Peru depend on themselves, with a win taking them through. However, they could make it even if they draw, needing Chile to concede more than once. If Paraguay do not win and Argentina lose by the same goal difference, Peru will make a World Cup comeback even if they fail to win.
Argentina could miss out on the finals for the first time since 1970 and will go into their final game away to Ecuador needing to rely on others to drop points while they themselves must earn at least a point to gain an intercontinental play-off spot.
Paraguay are hopeful they can thrash Venezuela and Chile and Argentina suffer defeat.
Wednesday, October 11 (CONCACAF)
The United States, after saving face against Panama, will have to beat Trinidad and Tobago to make it to the World Cup. If they are defeated, the North Americans' hopes would hinge on defeat for Panama and Honduras.
Therefore, Panama require a win against Costa Rica, who have already qualified. They will also pray for the US and Honduras to lose. The latter need to overcome Mexico and hope for a Panama slip up.