- France have already won their qualifying group, but Finland and Ukraine are in a battle for 2nd place and a spot in the playoff rounds. Finland currently hold a two-point lead on Ukraine, but have to face defending World Cup champions France later today. If they lose or draw, it opens the door for Ukraine to take 2nd place with a win at Bosnia & Herzegovina.


- There is a three-way battle in Group G between the Netherlands, Turkey, and Norway. Any of them could qualify directly for the World Cup; qualify for the playoff round; or be eliminated from contention. Currently, it's the Netherlands who control their own destiny as they hold a two-point lead over the other two contenders. Here's how it breaks down:

If the Netherlands win at home against Norway: Netherlands qualify. Second place goes to Turkey unless they lose at Montenegro by at least two goals more than Norway's loss to Netherlands.

If the Netherlands and Norway play to a draw: Netherlands qualify. Second place goes to Turkey if they win or draw, or to Norway if Turkey lose. (There is a scenario here where Turkey win their match by 13 goals or more to pip the Netherlands to 1st place and send the Oranje to the playoff round).

If Norway beat the Netherlands and Turkey defeat Montenegro: the Netherlands would be eliminated in 3rd place. Turkey would qualify directly for the World Cup unless Norway's victory was by at least two goals more than Turkey's victory.

If Norway beat the Netherlands and Turkey do NOT defeat Montenegro: Norway would qualify directly for the World Cup, with the Netherlands going to the playoff round.


- It's hard to calculate all of the scenarios in South American qualifying, but for sure Argentina would clinch a spot in the World Cup if they win or draw against Brazil AND two of the following three results happen: Chile lose to Ecuador; Colombia lose to Paraguay; and/or Uruguay lose at Bolivia. However you want to slice and dice it, it's sufficient to say that Argentina are on the brink of qualifying and it would take a serious set of results to see them fall out of the top four by the end of qualifying.


- I don't know if Venezuela would mathematically be out of qualifying possibilities if they lose to Peru. But if not, they'd be dangling off the cliff by a broken fingernail.


- Algeria host Burkina Faso in an elimination match, with the winner advancing to the next round of qualifying. Algeria advance if they draw.


- There is a three-way race in Africa's Group B, with Tunisia and Equatorial Guinea even on points atop the group and Zambia still alive with three fewer points. There are many scenarios here, but nobody controls their own destiny, necessarily. Tunisia have a strong advantage with goal differential, though, so they'll likely advance with a win at home over Zambia.


- Nigeria host Cape Verde in an elimination match, with the winner advancing to the next round of qualifying. Nigeria advance if they draw.


- Ivory Coast are at Cameroon in an elimination match, with the winner advancing to the next round of qualifying. Ivory Coast advance if they draw.


- Nobody can officially qualify or be eliminated in either CONCACAF qualifying or Asian qualifying.