@eliudprom WORLD CUP QUALIFY ALL UPADATES

@eliudprom all the teams who have qualified for the World Cup 2014

The conclusion of the group stage in the World Cup qualifiers is always a pivotal date in the competition, with seven teams across three continents booking their place at Brazil 2014 this week.

But with crunch play-offs still to come, the race to reach the World Cup next summer is still far from over.

Here Sportsmail lists a guide to show you who has qualified for the tournament and what is next for the teams set to be given a second chance to qualify through the play-offs..

Who is joining the Brazil 2014 party?

Europe

Belgium, Italy, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, Russia, Bosnia, England, Spain

(Plus four from play-off teams - Croatia, Sweden, Romania, Iceland, Portugal, Ukraine, Greece, France)

South America

Brazil (hosts), Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile

North/Central America

United States, Costa Rica, Honduras

Asia

Japan, Australia, Iran, South Korea

Africa*

Ivory Coast v Senegal (3-1)
Ethiopia v Nigeria (1-2)
Tunisia v Cameroon (0-0)
Ghana v Egypt (6-1)
Burkina Faso v Algeria (3-2)

*second legs to be played between November 16 and 19.

Inter continental play-off

Jordan v Uruguay

Inter continental play-off

Mexico v New Zealand

Europe...

Belgium

Manager: Marc Wilmots
Star man: Eden Hazard
Previous appearances: 11 (last in 2002)
Best finish: Fourth (1986)

Return: Marc Wilmots was part of the last Belgium team to feature at their last World Cup in 2002

Pick of the bunch? Chelsea's Eden Hazard is one of many Premier League stars in Belgium's team

New and improved: Belgium will be one of Europe's stronger nations when they reach Brazil next summer

How they got there: Blessed with a generation of players that have taken Belgium from being non-qualifying material to a major European force, Marc Wilmots guided his side to top spot in Group A with a game to spare after making light work of nearest rivals Croatia. The nation’s first major tournament in 12 years may end up being their best since the class of 86 visited Mexico.

 

Italy

Manager: Cesare Prandelli
Star man: Claudio Marchisio
Previous appearances: 7 (last in 2010)
Best finish: Winners (four times)

Still got it: Italy have cruised through qualifying under the managerial reign of Cesare Prandelli

In control: Claudio Marchisio is a constant attacking threat in Italy's midfield

Held off: Mario Balotelli (left) and Italy came from behind in a qualifier to beat Czech Republic 2-1 last month and along with Holland become the first European teams to reach the World Cup

How they got there: The Italians never looked in danger of failing to reach Brazil with group rivals stumbling over each other as Prandelli’s team built a commanding lead at the top of the group. Flopped as defending champions to crash out at the group stage in 2010, but a team blessed with veteran experience and youthful enthusiasm will hope to build on a runners-up finish at Euro 2012.

 

Germany

Manager: Joachim Low
Star man: Mesut Ozil
Previous appearances: 17 (last in 2010)
Best finish: Winners (three times)

Who's No 1? Germany have made light work of qualifying under Joachim Low

Gunner be going Brazil: Mesut Ozil's is a key component for Germany's midfield as well as Arsenal's

We're there again: Germany's 3-0 win over Rep of Ireland ensured Sweden could not catch them in Group C

How they got there: By winning every game - aside from a moment of madness when they only drew with Sweden despite going 4-0 up. That was about as bad as it got for Low’s side as Germany typically qualified with envious ease. Germany have actually never failed in any of their qualification attempts, as the two tournaments they missed saw them fail to enter (1930) or banned (1950.)

 

Holland

Manager: Louis van Gaal
Star man: Robin van Persie
Previous appearances: 10 (last in 2010)
Best finish: Runners-up (three times)

In control: Louis van Gaal has steered Holland back to winning ways following a disastrous Euro 2012

Reliant on Robin: Van Persie has rifled in the goals for Holland during qualifying

Record breakers: Van Persie broke Patrick Kluivert's (right) all-time scoring record for Holland during qualifying

How they got there: In style. Holland bounced back from a calamitous Euro 2012, where they lost every game, to blitz Group D and finish as Europe’s top scorers - much of that was in part due to Van Persie’s unmatched 11 goals. The Dutch seemed to have learned from the shambles of the Euros last year and will target going one better than 2010’s runners-up finish in South Africa.

 

Switzerland

Manager: Ottmar Hitzfeld
Star man: Xherdan Shaqiri
Previous appearances: Nine (last in 2010)
Best finish: Quarter-finals (three times)

No nonsense: Ottmar Hitzfeld has guided Switzerland to their third straight World Cup

One to watch: Shaqiri opened the scoring as Switzerland defeated Albania to reach Brazil 2014

Hands up, who's going to Brazil? Switzerland celebrate after victory in Albania confirmed their World Cup place

How they got there: The Swiss were given a boost before the qualifying games had even begun as the top seed place in their group was taken by a Norway team who have gone on to struggle. With Slovenia the second seeds, Hitzfeld’s team have taken advantage of one of Europe’s weaker groups but there is exciting talent within the squad such as Shaqiri and Valentin Stocker.

 

Russia

Manager: Fabio Capello
Star player: Alan Dzagoev
Previous appearances: Nine (last 2002)
Best finish: Fourth

Remember me? Fabio Capello saw off a Portugal challenge to guide Russia to the World Cup finals

Star in the making; Alan Dzagoev has previously attracted interest from Premier League teams

Thanks for the support: Russia players greet their fans at the final whistle of their last group game after qualifying for the World Cup, despite conceding a last minute equaliser against Azerbaijan

How they got there: Despite being in the same group as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Russia always held the advantage in the group and secured top spot with relative ease. Manager, Fabio Capello of course did a similar trick with England to comfortably guide the Three Lions to South Africa, but we will need little reminding of how badly that adventure ended…

 

Bosnia

Manager: Safet Susic
Star man: Edin Dzeko
Previous appearances: None
Best finish: N/A

Making history: Safet Susic guided Bosnia to their first ever major tournament

Focal point: Bosnia will heavily rely on Edin Dzeko to fire home their goals in Brazil

I predict a riot: Police in riot gear surround Emir Spahic after Bosnia secured World Cup qualification

How they got there: Bosnia and Greece were by far the runaway teams in Group G and such was their dominance, Bosnia still needed to win on the final day despite dropping points in just two qualifiers throughout the campaign. Huge celebrations greeted their first ever qualification for a major tournament but it remains to be seen how Dzeko and his team-mate cope in Brazil.

 

England

Manager: Roy Hodgson
Star man: Wayne Rooney
Previous appearances: 13
Best finish: Winners

Job well done: Roy Hodgson guided England through the qualification campaign unbeaten

Time to protect: Wayne Rooney was hit by injury problems heading into the previous two World Cups

Joy all round: England players celebrate qualifying for the World Cup after defeating Poland at Wembley

How they go there: While England seemed to toil through qualifying at times they never once looked on the back foot. When the chips were down they were forced to win their last two matches but they delivered in confident fashion. A nation awaits to see which star will break his metatarsal in the run-up to the finals next summer.

 

Spain

Manager: Vicente del Bosque
Star man: Andres Iniesta
Previous appearances: 13 (last in 2010)
Best finish: Winners

Staying on: Vicente Del Bosque is aiming to retain the World Cup he won with Spain in 2010

Still dangerous: Andres Iniesta will still be a key component for Spain next summer

Winning machine: Spain are hoping to become the first side to retain the World Cup since 1962

How they got there: Paired in a tough group that contained France, top-spot was always going to come down to the two clashes between Spain and the 1998 champions. As it was it was the current holders that edged the head-to-head record and finish in an automatic qualifying spot, as they attempt to become the first European side to lift the World Cup on South American soil.

 

Heading to the play-offs...

Croatia
Sweden
Romania
Iceland

Portugal
Greece
Ukraine
France

Eight of the nine runners-up from the European qualifying section will contest a two-legged play-off to reach the World Cup, with seedings set to be decided by the FIFA world rankings from October 17.

The draw for the play-offs will take place on October 21, with fixtures being played on November 15 and the return leg on November 19.

Despite finishing behind Italy as runners-up, Denmark miss out on the play-offs altogether due to having the worst runners-up record and as such fail to qualify for next summer's World Cup.

South America

Brazil

Manager: Luiz Felipe Scolari
Star player: Neymar
Previous appearances: 19 (last 2010)
Best finish: Winners (five times)

Aiming for a repeat: Luiz Felipe Scolari won the World Cup as Brazil manager in 2002

Pressure is on: Barcelona forward Neymar will burden much expectation on home soil

Boys from Brazil: As the host nation, Brazil are strong favourites to win a sixth World Cup

How they got there: As host nation they booked their place at the tournament six years ago when Brazil were awarded the tournament. There is huge pressure on Brazil, where anything less than a record sixth victory will be seen as a national disaster alongside the infamous team that crashed on home soil to lose the 1950 final to Uruguay.

 

Argentina

Manager: Alejandro Sabella
Star player: Lionel Messi
Previous appearances: 15 (last 2010)
Best finish: Winners (two times)

Calling the shots: Alejandro Sabella guided Argentina through a relatively easy qualifying campaign

Big hitter: Lionel Messi will hope to transform his qualifying form to the major tournament

Job done: Argentina stormed the South America qualifiers to finish top of the group

How they got there: Without Brazil’s presence, Argentina were billed to be the runaway leaders in South America and they didn’t fail to disappoint as Messi’s goals ensured they easily navigated their way to an 11th consecutive appearance. Messi failed to deliver in South Africa, but can he finally star on the biggest stage and end Argentina’s 28-year wait to win a third World Cup?

 

Colombia

Manager: Jose Pekerman
Star player: Radamel Falcao
Previous appearances: Four (last 1998)
Best finish: Last 16

Done his homework: Jose Pekerman has guided Colombia to their first finals since 1998

Danger man: Colombia will be armed with Radamel Falcao when they venture to Brazil

Back in the big time: Colombia return to the World Cup after a 16-year absence

How they got there: We haven’t seen Colombia since David Beckham’s free-kick past Faryd Mondragon (still part of the squad at 42) helped dump them out of France 98. But having trailed a distant second behind Argentina for much of the campaign, Colombia are back and this time it will be the feet of Falcao rather than the hair of Carlos Valderrama which will do the talking.

 

Chile

Manager: Jorge Sampaoli
Star player: Alexis Sanchez
Previous appearances: Eight (last 2010)
Best finish: Third (1962)

On target: Alexis Sanchez netted against Ecuador

How they got there: Chile were not made to regret throwing away a 3-0 lead against Colombia - they eventually drew 3-3 - and sealed victory against Ecuador in the final qualifier to secure third place and their place in Brazil. 

 

Ecuador

Manager: Reinaldo Rueda
Star player: Edison Mendez
Previous appearances: Two (last 2006)
Best finish: Last 16.

We're off to Brazil: Ecuador's fans celebrate wildly despite defeat in Santiago

How they got there: A vital 1-0 win over Uruguay in their penultimate game effectively sealed Ecuador's place in their third finals in four World Cups. That they lost 2-1 in Santiago proved an irrelevance as they grabbed the fourth and final automatic spot ahead of Uruguay - who beat Argentina 3-2 in Montevideo - on goal difference.

 

North and Central America

United States

Manager: Jurgen Klinsmann
Star player: Jozy Altidore
Previous appearances: Nine (last 2010)
Best finish: Semi-finals

Back on the global stage: Jurgen Klinsmann guided Germany to the semi-finals in 2006

Hitting form: Jozy Altidore fired in the goals for United States during qualifying

American dream: United States celebrate during their win over Mexico which booked their Brazil 2014 place

How they got there: After starting slowly in ‘the Hex’, Klinsmann’s side soon found their winning rhythm to hit top spot in the group before a win over Mexico last month confirmed a seventh straight World Cup appearance. The last 10 years have seen players gain bucket loads of experience from playing in Europe and it’s seeing big gains in the squad strength.

USA sink Pamana World Cup dream with two injury time goals

 

Costa Rica

Manager: Jorge Luis Pinto
Star player: Bryan Ruiz
Previous appearances: Three (last 2006)
Best finish: Last 16

Work cut out: Jorge Luis Pinto faces a tough task to guide Costa Rica past the group stage

Class of his own: Fulham star Bryan Ruiz will lead Costa Rica's attacking line in Brazil

Consolation: Costa Rica conceded a last minute equaliser in Jamaica but still qualified for Brazil 2014

How they got there: Despite conceding a last-minute equaliser in Jamaica last month, it was smiles all round as the draw in Kingston was enough to see Costa Rica qualify in surprisingly comfortable circumstances. Fulham forward Bryan Ruiz has the ability to compete on the global stage but reaching the last 16 like in 1990 will prove a tough ask for Pinto’s team.

Honduras

Manager: Luis Fernando Suarez

Star player: Wilson Palacios

Previous appearances: Two

Best finish: Group stage

Danger man: Carlos Costly has scored 28 goals in 66 games for Honduras

How they got there: Honduras have undergone several changes since South Africa, but pulled it all together in time to enjoy a successful qualifying campaign, finally sealing their place with a 2-2 draw against Jamaica in the final match.

 

Asia

Japan

Manager: Alberto Zaccheroni
Star player: Keisuke Honda
Previous appearances: Four (last 2010)
Best finish: Last 16 

All wrapped up: Alberto Zaccheroni's Japan were the first side to qualify for next summer's finals

Star turn: Keisuke Honda (right) has caught the eye of many top European sides

First there: Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Yuto Nagatomo celebrate qualification

How they got there: Now part of the World Cup furniture after reaching their first tournament at France 98. Japan were the first side to qualify (outside the hosts) for Brazil 2014 in June as they comfortably topped Asia’s Group B. The squad is talented too. Shinji Kagawa may not be featuring much for Manchester United but keep an eye out for CSKA Moscow’s midfield genius, Honda.

 

Iran

Manager: Carlos Queiroz
Star player: Ashkan Dejagah
Previous appearances: Three (last 2006)
Best finish: Group stage

On the up: Former Manchester United assistant Carlos Queiroz will guide Iran in Brazil

European experience: Fulham's Ashkan Dejagah has experience against the world's finest players

One hand on the trophy: Iran celebrate qualifying after winning at South Korea

How they got there: Surprisingly topped Group A after winning at South Korea on the final match day. Despite winning the group there isn’t much to suggest that former Manchester United assistant Queiroz can guide them past the group stage for the first time. Skipper, Javad Nekounam has the experience but Fulham’s Ashkan Dejagah is best suited to deal with the quality they will face in Brazil.

 

South Korea

Manager: Hong Myung-bo
Star player: Ki Sung-yueng
Previous appearances: Eight (last 2010)
Best finish: Fourth

Player to manager: Boss, Hong Myung-Bo won over 100 caps for South Korea in his playing days

Sign of things to come? Ki-Sung-yueng (left) battles for the ball with Brazil's Neymar

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Muted celebrations: South Korea qualified for Brazil 2014 despite losing against Iran

How they got there: Survived a late scare on the final matchday of the group stage to qualify as only a narrowly superior goal difference saved them from being bumped into the play-offs by Uzbekistan following a 1-0 home defeat to Iran. It will be their eighth consecutive finals but only twice have they got beyond the group stage.

 

Australia

Manager: N/A
Star player: Tim Cahill
Previous appearances: Four (last 2010)
Best finish: Last 16

Still going strong: Veteran Tim Cahill (left) remains a part of the Australia team

Leaderless: Australia are currently without a manager following the recent sacking of Holger Osieck

How they got there: Rather than battling for top spot, Australia were left trying to fend off Oman for the final automatic spot which they only achieved on the final day following a late 1-0 win against Iraq coupled with Oman’s loss at Jordan. Managerless and out of form having been defeated 6-0 by Brazil and France in recent matches – just as well the tournament is next summer.