Who's in and who's out? The teams who could book their place in the World Cup this week

Hosts Russia are already guaranteed to be joined by Brazil, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Mexico. Back-to-back fixtures this week and the following make up for a nail-biting finale to the process of qualification.

Some teams can secure a spot in December's draw in the Kremlin with their next match while others will have to wait for the deciding final clash. Here are the teams who could celebrate this week.

France

Deschamps' side require a victory in Bulgaria and for Sweden to lose in Solna to Luxemburg.

Switzerland

They will be guaranteed top spot if they beat Hungary on Saturday and Portugal fail to win in Andorra.

Germany

Given their 100 per cent record, a point will suffice against Northern Ireland on Thursday.

Serbia

They will qualify on Friday if they defeat Austria and both Wales and the Republic of Ireland fail to win.

Poland

They need to win and for Denmark to draw in Montenegro if they want to clinch the group.

England

The three Lions will qualify if they win, or if they draw and Slovakia do not win.

Spain

They face Albania and will qualify if they better Italy’s result against Macedonia in Turin.

Uruguay

A victory against either of the bottom two, Venezuela (away) or Bolivia (home), will see them through given their superior goal difference.

Tunisia

The Group A leaders could guarantee a place in Russia by beating Guinea in Conakry on Saturday.

Nigeria

Nigeria can become the first African nation to qualify with a victory at home over second-placed Zambia.

Egypt

If they eliminate Congo on Sunday, a draw between Uganda and Ghana will see the Pharaohs through to the finals for the first time since 1990.