World Cup, 42 qualifiers rise to 42: here they are

Already 42 national teams have qualified for the World Cup to be staged next year in North America: the extension sought by FIFA, which has increased the number of participants in the final phase to 48, has meant that there will be a first for more than one selection.

The last six places available for the competition that begins June 11 will be awarded in March: four in Europe, with Italy also in contention to avoid a third mauling in a row, and two in an intercontinental playoff tournament with six participants.

Host countries: Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Asia: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Qatar, South Korea, Iran, Japan, Jordan and Uzbekistan.

Africa: Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

Conmebol: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Uruguay.

Concacaf: Panama, Curaçao and Haiti.

Europe: England, France, Croatia, Portugal, Norway, Holland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Austria, Scotland and Switzerland.

Oceania: New Zealand.