The last round of World Cup qualifiers this year is here.
In a little more than 365 days, in the heart of the Middle East, the biggest football tournament in the world will begin, with games kicking off in Qatar's state-of-the-art, yet controversial, stadiums.
As the story of the qualifiers across the globe evolves, here is a full breakdown of the most exciting storylines to look out for this month.
Lebanon’s players prepare for Iran and the UAE, while the country is under a security and power crisis. (Photo: Lebanese Football Association)
Asia: The AFC
Asia is diving deep into their third round on Thursday morning, and things are starting to get serious. In Group A, South Korea will host the United Arab Emirates in a decisive match for the visitors. In predictably cold weather, the Koreans will be without their best striker, Hwang Ui-jo, through injury, with Kim Gun-hee, Suwon Bluewings' striker, receiving his first career call-up in his place. The weather will likely be against the visitors, with the temperature in South Korea getting close to zero degrees celsius.
Amid the ongoing power and security crisis in Lebanon, the country will host Iran in Saida. The game will be played in the early afternoon, as the Lebanese FA won't take risks with the floodlights shutting down in the middle of the game due to electricity failure. The Cedars are the surprise team of Group A, and will hope to surprise Team Melli to keep their dream alive. Iran coach Dragan Skocic shocked many across Asia when he left Porto forward Mehdi Taremi, who's in great shape for both club and country, out of the squad.
The second matchday sees Lebanon take on the UAE, a game which will likely be a direct face-off for third place, and similarly determine Bert van Marwijck's destiny as the Al Abyad’s (The Whites) gaffer.
Saudi Arabia has a perfect record so far in this stage of the competition, and will play Australia in what is the biggest clash of Group B. A disappointing Japan side, meanwhile, have two must-win games, against Vietnam and Oman away. The last victory over Australia saved manager Hajime Moriyasu's job, but the Blue Samurai will need to get all six points from these next two games to keep their World Cup finals dream realistic - it’s their worst start to a World Cup qualifying third stage ever. Another disappointing display and Moriyasu will likely meet the Samurai’s sword. It won't be pleasant.
✨ #AsianQualifiers Matchday 5️⃣ ✨
— #AsianCup2023 (@afcasiancup) November 10, 2021
Let's start the predictions ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/AXNycRfyih
Africa: CAF
Mama Africa will witness the final two matchdays of the second stage of qualifiers this week, with teams keeping half an eye on the Africa Cup of Nations which is just around the corner.
Senegal and Morocco are already through to the next round, but other leading nations are all climbing different peaks at the moment, and are being chased to the top.
Algeria and Burkina Faso fight each other in Group A, while in Group B Tunisia will be looking to seal their spot at the top of the table. Nigeria will hope not to slip again in Group C, with Cape Verde waiting for their fall, and the Ivory Coast will go to Cameroon, trying to push the Indomitable Lions off the World Cup cliff in Group D. Uganda will hope to destroy Mali's project in Group E, as Carlos Queiroz’s Egypt will try to finish their work in Group F, looking towards the Arab Cup at the end of the month. Group G sees South Africa in a life-or-death tie against Ghana, in the Baba Yara - both teams are tight at the top of their group standings.
And finally, in Group J, everything is open. In changing conditions, Tanzania, Benin, DR Congo, and Madagascar are all still in the fight for the only ticket to the third round of the African qualifiers. Massive matches are ahead, all over the continent.
🇲🇱 @femafoot 🆚 @OfficialFUFA 🇺🇬
— CAF (@CAF_Online) November 10, 2021
A clash for the group E ticket to the final round of the 2022 #WCQ! 🔥
Who will have the final say?#WorldCup
Europe: UEFA
It’s an intense international break in Europe.
Spain will be hoping to pip Sweden to first place in Group B and, at the same time, Ukraine will be optimistic about their chances in a decisive Group D clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Wales won’t let Czechia run away with second place in Group E, behind Belgium, while Israel will need divine intervention to beat Scotland to a potential play-off spot.
The Netherlands, Norway and Turkey will be fighting all the way for the top two spots in Group G, with a direct clash between The Oranje and Erling Haaland's gang on the final day. Albania and Poland will fight each other to join England as the second team to progress out of Group I, while in Group J, Romania, North Macedonia and the extraordinary Armenia, somehow find themselves as playoff material.
Fake hand pass challenge 😎
— Official Armenian FF (@OfficialArmFF) November 9, 2021
Armenia National Team version ✅
Starring @HenrikhMkh and co.#Armenia #ArmeniaNT #Հայաստան #EQ #EuropeanQualifiers #ARMMKD 🇦🇲🇲🇰 pic.twitter.com/ZkxjfCiHpQ
South America: CONMEBOL
What else can we say about South America? Brazil and Argentina are looking like they’ll qualify for Qatar comfortably but, beneath the surface, the rest of the continent are fighting for the leftovers.
With El Viejo maestro Oscar Tabarez still at the helm, Uruguay host Argentina for a heated Rio de la Plata Clasico, with many absentees and injuries in the squad. James Rodriguez returns to the Colombia setup for their vital match against Brazil, while their rivals Ecuador will be wanting to pull away from Los Cafeteros, Chile and the Garra Charrúa (Uruguay) warriors. Within that mix, Chile will have to beat Paraguay and Ecuador to guarantee at least the intercontinental playoff.
Busy days indeed for the second-tier of South American national fútbol teams of South American.
𝐄𝐥 𝐟𝐮́𝐭𝐛𝐨𝐥 𝐬𝐢𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐬 ❤#EliminatoriasSudamericanas pic.twitter.com/N71JyrXlIA
— CONMEBOL.com (@CONMEBOL) November 9, 2021
North & Central America: CONCACAF
In North America, Mexico will have two challenging away games against Canada and the United States. The weather in Edmonton for the Canada game looks like it’ll be around -4 degrees. And snowy. Quite a challenge for El Tri’s players, who will be wanting to keep first place in the octagonal at their feet.
Panama will hope to win their matches against Honduras and El Salvador, and that the US or Canada drop points.
The big three of North American football, or soccer as they call it, are looking to secure a World Cup spot, but as we know from previous editions, never say never in CONCACAF.
Game week is 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) November 9, 2021
Time for more #CWCQ action. Up first:
🇭🇳 𝕧𝕤 🇵🇦
🇸🇻 𝕧𝕤 🇯🇲
🇨🇦 𝕧𝕤 🇨🇷
🇺🇸 𝕧𝕤 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/trvNBb6mmX
There are some crucial moments for players, teams and countries this window, all ready to explode as the showdown for a place in the finals nears its end.
Edited by Alex Smith, Photo via FIFA World Cup official Twitter account.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Egypt pushed Argentina to the limit in a 3-2 World Cup thriller, but left the pitch furious at the referee and convinced justice was denied.
Ayoub Bouaddi chose Morocco over France at 18 and lit up a quarter-final about colonial history, dual identity, and what it means to belong.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.
Thousands of Argentina fans transformed Times Square before the 2026 World Cup final, all united to thank Lionel Messi.
Spain were ruthless in Dallas as Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo starred, leaving France's Bastille Day to end in deep disappointment for Deschamps.
Norway outplayed England for most of a sweltering Miami classic, but two Bellingham strikes in extra time sent the Three Lions to the semis.
Merino's late goal gave Spain a 1-0 win over Portugal as Ronaldo left the World Cup stage in tears in what many believe was his final match.
Egypt beat Australia on penalties in Dallas to reach the last 16 for the first time, with Salah's Panenka the highlight of a historic night.
Diop headed Morocco level in the 91st minute and Saibari slotted the winner in the shootout as Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
Messi and the Jordanian Messi both scored as Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 in Arlington, with records broken and keffiyehs flying in the stands.
France beat Iraq 3-0 in Philadelphia, but the two-hour lightning delay stole the show, making it officially the longest World Cup game ever.
Senegal relived their legendary 2002 magic for an hour, but Kylian Mbappe struck twice to sink them and seal France's 3-1 win in New Jersey.
Erling Haaland’s hat-trick powered Norway past Israel 5–0, as protests and tension surrounded the World Cup qualifier in Oslo.
Israel coach Ran Ben Shimon dons a kippa and prays for hostages in an emotional Oslo press conference before facing Norway.
Ahead of Norway–Israel, FA president Lise Klaveness urges respect, transparency, and dialogue, discussing her efforts in bringing change that will see Israel banned from international football.
Tense atmosphere in Oslo ahead of Norway vs. Israel, with protests, politics, and a World Cup dream on the line.
As Israel visits Oslo for a key World Cup qualifier, Norway braces for protests, politics, and a tense weekend on and off the pitch. Uri Levy reports from Oslo.
Ahmed Taha shines for Palestine with assist vs Jordan—now Israel’s sports minister wants him banned from the local league.
Japan qualify as Asia's World Cup race heats up—big wins, surprise draws, and crucial clashes ahead on Matchday 8.
CAF World Cup qualifiers heat up as Egypt, Sudan, and Morocco lead, while Nigeria and Ghana fight to stay in contention.
Iraq refuses to play Palestine’s WCQ in Jerusalem or Jordan, citing VAR concerns. FIFA faces pressure to decide on a neutral venue.
Bolivia stuns Chile 2-1 in World Cup qualifier, securing first away win in 31 years and first-ever victory on Chilean soil. Historic upset!
Morocco made a tremendous journey in the 2022 World Cup, all the way to the semi-finals. Uri Levy picked the heroes of The Atlas Lions.
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Why? Not sure it’s about football.
Many tipped Canada’s current generation to try its fortune in the 2026 World Cup. With the way things evolved this year for Les Rouges, Canadain football big bang might come earlier, or even just in time for the World Cup in Qatar.
During 2018 World Cup qualifications, Shahrukh Sohail was interviewed in BabaGol discussing the situation of Pakistani football. Since then, things didn't go well for the Pak Shaheens, and Sohail connects the dots as he looks to the future of football in this massive country.
The coronavirus made CONCACAF change their format for the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. While the original format was the opposite of the recent development in the continent, the new format will give the teams a chance to dream about Qatar.
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The Asian World Cup Qualifiers are among the fascinating competitions in the world. Drama, politics, tears and a bigger picture to look upon and learn. Uri reviews the drama and context of the important goals and moments.
Timor-Leste made a decent World Cup qualifiers run four years ago until their opponents found the reason behind that. After they got punished by the AFC and FIFA, now it was their former rivals’ chance to exact revenge.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup Final, ending Lionel Messi's dream World Cup with heartbreak.