By George Aluo

With just few days, (in fact  less than 20) to the December 1 draw of the Russia 2018 World Cup in the city of Moscow, the battle for a place in the competition proper next summer, is still raging.

From Africa to Europe down to Asia and South America, it would be fireworks all the way,this weekend, as countries battle for the few tickets still available for grabs. 

In Africa, the final round of the group matches are to be decided, while in Europe, South America/ Oceania, CONCACAF/ Asia there would be play offs to complete the circle of the 32 countries that are Russia bound.

Interestingly some of the soccer giants in virtually all the continents are involved in the last round of battle for the tickets. 

In Africa, the Atlas Lions of Morocco, Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire and Carthage Eagles of Tunisia are yet to land in Russia, while countries like  Italy, Peru, Croatia and Sweden still have to go through this weekend’s dangerous play offs.

A look at the battle grounds.

AFRICA:

The mother of all war is no doubt in the Ivorian capital, Abidjan where the Elephants are playing host to the Atlas Lions of Morocco. Morocco goes into the Group C game needing only a draw to pull through, while Ivory Coast is condemned to win. 

A look at the table shows that Morocco tutored by highly successful former Elephants manager Harve Renard is on top with nine points, while Ivory Coast is second with eight points. 

Renard is leading Morocco into a familiar terrain at the Houphet Boigny Stadium and the French tactician who led the Elephants to win the Nation’s Cup in 2015 after achieving same feat with Zambia knows what to do to leave the arena unscathed. 

To show how serious the Moroccans are taking the game, they have requested for 8000 match tickets in a bid to match their hosts support for support from the stands.

The Group A clash involving Tunisia and Libya is another testy clash. One thing going for the Tunisians is the fact that they are home and on the drivers seat as they seat on top of Group A. A draw at home is even good enough to see them through.

The setting in Group D is quite interesting as the quartet of South Africa, Senegal, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso still stand a chance of qualification. A lot would depend on what happened in yesterday’s game in Joburg between South Africa and Senegal. FIFA it would be noted ordered the replay of that match following the poor way the first match which South Africa won 2-1 was handled by Ghanaian referee, Lamptey, who has since been handed a life ban by FIFA.

EUROPE:

In Europe, four spots are left with everything to play for.

Northern Ireland, aiming for their first World Cup finals since 1986, faced Switzerland in Belfast on Thursday with the return leg billed for tomorrow (Sunday) in the two-legged play-off.

The Republic of Ireland would meet Denmark in the first leg in Copenhagen today in one of the other three ties as they seek to reach a first World Cup finals since 2002.

Four-time world champions Italy are in danger of missing out for the first time since 1958 as they take on Sweden, while either Croatia or Greece will complete the European contingent.

These teams were the eight best second-placed finishers in the nine European qualifying groups, with Denmark, Switzerland, Italy and Croatia seeded because of their superior world rankings.

Northern Ireland vs  Switzerland 

Northern Ireland and Switzerland have not met in a competitive fixture since 1964.

Michael O’Neill’s side, who are targeting back-to-back tournament appearances after reaching the last 16 at Euro 2016, finished second behind world champions Germany in Group C.

Switzerland had a 100% record in the group stages before a 2-0 defeat by Portugal in their final qualifier saw them miss out on top spot on goal difference.

Denmark   vs   Republic of Ireland 

The Republic of Ireland may have qualified for back-to-back European Championships, but have not featured on the biggest stage of all since a buoyant showing at the 2002 World Cup.

West Brom winger James McClean’s second-half goal earned a victory in Wales last month to send them into the qualifying play-offs at the expense of their hosts.

Denmark, who last qualified in 2010, finished second behind Poland in their qualifying group.

“Naturally, we’re just pleased to be in the draw,” Republic manager Martin O’Neill said.

“Being one of the unseeded teams means it was always going to be a difficult tie. We’re delighted to be in it.”

Italy   vs   Sweden 

A World Cup finals without four-time winners Italy, whose only failure to qualify came back in 1958, is almost unthinkable for many football fans.

The Azzurri also came close to missing out when England pipped them in their 1998 World Cup qualifying group, and they needed a 2-1 play-off win against Russia to scrape through.

Many Italian fans are fearing the worst after some lacklustre recent performances, including a humbling 3-0 defeat in Spainand embarrassing 1-1 home draw against Macedonia, but veteran coach Gian Piero Ventura says that failure to reach Russia has not crossed his mind.

“Going to the World Cup is important for everyone, the young and the not-so-young,” said the 69-year-old.

“I have never considered the possibility of not going to the World Cup. Italy has never let us down and we won’t let Italy down.”

After missing out on the past two tournaments, Sweden could fail to qualify for three consecutive World Cup finals for the first time.

The Swedes finished behind France in Group A but clinched runners-up spot ahead of the Netherlands, who needed to win by seven clear goals to overtake them in the final game.

 

Croatia   vs   Greece

Croatia have won all four of their previous play-off ties – to reach either World Cup or European Championship tournaments – and have booked a place at nine out of 11 major finals as an independent nation.

They clinched second place in Group I with a 2-0 win in Ukraine in their final match, following a turbulent campaign, with coach Ante Cacic sacked and replaced by Zlatko Dalic before the deciding game.

Greece, who finished behind Belgium in Group H, are aiming for a third straight World Cup finals after reaching the knockout phase for the first time at Brazil 2014.

OTHERS:

In the South America/ Oceania play off, it would be Peru or New Zealand, while Honduras and Australia will slug it out in the CONCACAF/ Asia clash.

All the countries that have qualified 

Russia (Host), Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Panama, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Uruguay, Iceland, Belgium, Poland, England, Portugal, France, Serbia, Germany, Spain

Who else can still qualify?

The tournament will consist of 32 teams, with hosts Russia joined by 31 qualifiers from around the globe.

We already know 23 of the nations who will compete next summer, plus the four European play-off winners.

That leaves five more spots to be decided:

Peru or New Zealand (South America/Oceania play-off)

Honduras or Australia (CONCACAF/Asia play-off)

Tunisia or Congo (African Group A winners)

Morocco or Ivory Coast (African Group B winners)

Senegal or Burkina Faso or Cape Verde or South Africa (African Group D winners)

Road to Russia: The key dates

• 9-11 November: Play-off first legs

• 12-14 November: Play-off second legs

• 1 December: Groups are drawn

• 14 June – 15 July 2018: World Cup