SCOTLAND’S World Cup dream died on Sunday night as a dramatic draw against Slovenia saw Gordon Strachan’s side slip behind Slovakia into third place on goal difference.
It will now be four long four years before the Tartan Army have a chance to try and end their exile from international football’s showcase event once again, which they last attended in 1998.
But which teams have already booked their place in next summer's finals?
EUROPE
Russia (Hosts)
The hosts haven’t needed to go through the arduous process of qualifying, instead keeping busy with a series of friendlies. The latest was a 4-2 victory over South Korea on Saturday, their first outing since being eliminated in the group stages of the Confederations Cup by Mexico back in June.
Previous tournament appearances: 10
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Third in Group H)
Best World Cup performance: 4th in 1966
Germany (Group C winners)
The reigning world champions finished off a perfect qualification campaign last night with a 5-1 win over Azerbaijan, a result that made it 10 wins from 10 in Group C.
Joechim Low’s side are looking every bit the contenders, with Thomas Muller and Sandro Wagner both scoring five goals during the qualifying process as the Germans netted an impressive 43 times.
Previous tournament appearances: 18
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Winners)
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014
Poland (Group E winners)
Poland secured their return to the World Cup stage after missing out on the last two editions, topping Group E by five points ahead of Denmark, Montenegro and Romania.
A final day 4-2 win over the Montenegrins in Warsaw sealed the deal, with Bayern Munich star Robert Lewandowski’s incredible 16-goal haul playing a key part in their qualification.
Previous tournament appearances: 7
Last World Cup appearance: 2006 (Third in Group A)
Best World Cup performance: Third place in 1974 and 1982
England (Group F winners)
Despite criticism being aimed at the team for some below-par performances, England cruised to Russia 2018 with eight wins from 10 games and an unbeaten record.
Gareth Southgate’s team qualified with an eight-point lead over Slovakia and Scotland, with Harry Kane leading their scoring charts with five strikes.
Previous tournament appearances: 14
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Fourth in Group D)
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1966
Spain (Group G winners)
Spain saw off the challenge of Italy in a tough qualifying group to secure passage to the finals with a game to spare.
A win and a draw against the Azzurri were the crucial results, with Julen Lopetegui’s side winning every other game against Albania, Israel, Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
Previous tournament appearances: 14
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Third in Group B)
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 2010
Belgium (Group H winners)
Belgium’s golden generation booked their place in Russia early, with eight wins and one draw from their nine games so far proving enough to top Group H.
The goals have been flowing for Roberto Martinez’s side throughout the campaign, with Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku netting 10 times while Napoli’s Dries Mertens and Thomas Meunier of PSG have five apiece.
Previous tournament appearances: 12
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Quarter-finals)
Best World Cup performance: Fourth place in 1986
SOUTH AMERICA
Brazil (CONMEBOL winners)
The Brazilians have managed to pull away from the rest in a manic South American qualification campaign that is going down to the last day.
With 11 wins and only one defeat in 17 games, Tite’s side have built up a 10-point lead over closest rivals Uruguay in second place as they target a sixth world title next summer.
Previous tournament appearances: 20
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Fourth place)
Best World Cup performance: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002
ASIA
Iran (Group A winners)
An unbeaten run of six wins and four draws saw Iran comfortably top Group A ahead of South Korea, Syria, Uzbekistan, China and Qatar.
Sardar Azmoun of Rubin Kazan was the key man, scoring four goals for a side who like to keep it tight, having conceded just twice in the entire qualifying process.
Previous tournament appearances: 4
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Fourth in Group F)
Best World Cup performance: Group stage/first round in 1978, 1998, 2006 and 2014
Japan (Group B winners)
Japan edged out Saudi Arabia and Australia by one point to top Group B and book their sixth World Cup finals appearance in a row.
Previous tournament appearances: 5
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Fourth in Group C)
Best World Cup performance: Last 16 in 2002 and 2010.
South Korea (Group A runners-up)
Second place was enough to guarantee South Korea a place in the group stage draw, although Syria were breathing down their necks until the very last moment.
A team with a good World Cup pedigree, Shin Tae-yong’s squad will be desperate to improve on their performance four years ago when they picked up just one point in the group stages.
Previous tournament appearances: 9
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Fourth in Group H)
Best World Cup performance: Fourth place in 2002
Saudi Arabia (Group B runners-up)
It was a close run thing, but Saudi Arabia secured second spot ahead of Australia in Group B thanks to a superior goal difference. A 1-0 win over Japan on the final day ensured they will return to international football’s biggest stage after missing the last two editions.
Previous tournament appearances: 4
Last World Cup appearance: 2006 (Fourth In Group H)
Best World Cup performance: Last 16 in 1994
NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA
Mexico (CONCACAF Fifth round winners)
Another undefeated side in qualifying, six wins and three draws have ensured Mexico are safely on their way to Russia before their final game away to Honduras this evening.
Previous tournament appearances: 15
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Last 16)
Best World Cup performance: Quarter finalists in 1970 and 1986
Costa Rica (CONCACAF Fifth round runners-up)
The surprise package of the 2014 World Cup, when the Costa Ricans made a surprise run to the last eight, they will be looking for more of the same in Russia after securing second spot in qualifying behind Mexico and ahead of the USA.
Previous tournament appearances: 9
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Quarter-finals)
Best World Cup performance: Quarter-finalists in 2014
AFRICA
Egypt (Group E winners)
Mo Salah’s 95th minute penalty against Congo last night ensured that Egypt will be playing at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years next summer.
With only two appearances at the tournament in their history, it will be a momentous occasion for Egyptian football after the Pharaohs topped Group E ahead of Uganda, Ghana and Congo.
Previous tournament appearances: 2
Last World Cup appearance: 1990 (First round)
Best World Cup performance: First round in 1934 and 1990
Nigeria (Group B winners)
The Super Eagles blew away a tough group featuring Zambia, Cameroon and Algeria, recording four wins and a draw ahead of their final clash away to the Algerians next month.
With Chelsea’s Victor Moses, Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi of Arsenal all in on the goals, Nigeria have an impressive squad to count on going into their third consecutive World Cup finals.
Previous tournament appearances: 5
Last World Cup appearance: 2014 (Last 16)
Best World Cup performance: Last 16 in 1994, 1998 and 2014
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