2014 World Cup Qualifying Preview: Seven automatic spots up for grabs

EUROPEAN Zone:
The four remaining automatic spots for the 2014 FIFA World Cup from European zone will be decided when the group stage concludes on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the eight best runners-up will be granted a second chance to qualify via the play-offs. Belgium, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Switzerland have already booked their tickets to the main event after winning their respective groups.

In Group A, Croatia are certain of second place behind the newest superpower of world football Belgium, however, they will be keen to bolster their points tally in Scotland to guarantee themselves a play-off berth.

The matters look tense in Group B with four teams still capable of finishing in second place behind already qualified Italy. Given the relatively poor records of the four contenders, though, the country that does finish second faces a battle to avoid being the team that misses out on the play-offs as only the eight best second-placed teams from the nine groups will be granted a second opportunity to qualify.

The first two places are settled in Group C, though, winners Germany will be looking to finish unbeaten. As for Sweden, they know they will complete their fixtures in second place, with a play-off place already guaranteed.

Having already booked their trip to Brazil, the Netherlands will set out with the goal of remaining unbeaten in Group D and ending their campaign with the most prolific attack in Europe. Romania are in pole position to take the 2nd spot as they are up against lowly Estonia and their main contender Turkey play against the Dutch.

Iceland are in pole position and a win away at Norway would guarantee the surprise package a play-off place as their main opponent for 2nd place, Slovenia travel to Group E table topper Switzerland.

Front runners Russia require just a solitary point in Azerbaijan to settle matters in Group F and take the top spot. Scheduled to face Luxembourg, the Portuguese are assured of finishing second and earning a play-off place at the very least.

In Group G, Bosnia-Herzegovina hold their destiny in their own hands to reach their maiden World Cup as an independent nation as they head for Lithuania, thanks to a healthy goal-difference lead over Greece. As for the 2004 European champions, they must see off Liechtenstein and hope their rival slips up. The 2nd placed team have been assured to qualify for the play-offs.

England must match Ukraine’s result on the final day to guarantee their passage to Brazil fom Group H. However, given Ukraine play San Marino, this effectively means England must win or they will be condemned to second place.

Group I leaders Spain only need a draw at home to Georgia to ensure that they will be in Brazil to defend their title. France need to win at home to Finland and hope that Vicente del Bosque’s side are on the end of a huge upset.

SOUTH AMERICAN Zone:

With Argentina and Columbia having already qualified for the quadrennial showpiece, the last two automatic spots from the South American region will be decided as the double round-robin group stage ends on Tuesday. Both Ecuador and Chile hold a 3 point cushion and a healthy goal difference over Uruguay and hence Uruguay can qualify directly only with a crushing victory over Argentina coupled with a win for either Chile or Ecuador who meet in Santiago. Otherwise, Uruguay will have to play a two-legged play-off against Jordan to qualify for the World Cup.

CONCACAF Zone:

Honduras only need a draw at lowly Jamaica to clinch the last automatic qualification spot from the CONCACAF region and join already qualified USA and Costa Rica. Mexico are resigned to the fact that they have to qualify via a two-legged play-off against New Zealand provided they can at least take a point from their last game against Costa Rica.