What to know about the 32 qualified teams

What to know about the 32 qualified teams

AFC

AUSTRALIA - The Socceroos are making their fifth appearance at a World Cup.

IRAN - Team Melli were the first Asian team to qualify for Russia 2018.

JAPAN - The Japanese have made the Round of 16 on two occasions.

KOREA REPUBLIC - The Taeguk Warriors have been a World Cup ever-present since 1986.

SAUDI ARABIA - The Saudis made their World Cup debut at USA 1994.

CAF

EGYPT - The Pharaohs are making their first world finals appearance since Italy 1990.

MOROCCO - The Atlas Lions topped African zone Group C in qualification

NIGERIA - The Super Eagles have only missed one tournament since their debut at USA 1994.

SENEGA - In their debut at Korea/Japan 2002, the Lions of Teranga reached the quarter-finals.

TUNISIA - At Argentina 1978, the Carthage Eagles became the first African team to win a World Cup match.

CONCACAF

COSTA RICA - Los Ticos impressed at Brazil 2014, making the quarter-finals.

MEXICO - The Mexicans lost just once in qualifying for Russia 2018.

PANAMA - The central Americans are making their World Cup debut in Russia.

CONMEBOL

ARGENTINA - The two-time champions appeared at the inaugural edition at Uruguay 1930.

BRAZIL - A Selecao were the first team to qualify after hosts Russia.

COLOMBIA - Los Cafeteros coach Jose Pekerman was in charge of his native Argentina at Germany 2006.

PERU - The Peruvians return to the world finals for the first time in 36 years.

URUGUAY - La Celeste were world champions as hosts in 1930 and at Brazil 1950.

UEFA

BELGIUM - The Belgians went undefeated in topping UEFA Group H in qualifying.

CROATIA - The Croatians finished third in their World Cup debut at France 1998.

DENMARK - The Danes secured qualification with a comfortable play-off win over Republic of Ireland.

ENGLAND - The Three Lions have made the finals 14 times from 16 qualifying campaigns.

FRANCE - Les Bleus are making a sixth-straight world finals appearance.

GERMANY - The defending world champions registered a 100 per cent record in qualifying.

ICELAND - The smallest country by population ever to qualify for a World Cup.

POLAND - The Poles finished third at Germany 1974 and Spain 1982.

PORTUGAL - A Selecao das Quinas are making a fifth-straight finals appearance.

RUSSIA - As the Soviet Union, the World Cup hosts finished fourth at England 1966.

SERBIA - The Serbs topped UEFA Group D in qualification with only one defeat.

SPAIN - Champions in 2010, Spain's World Cup debut was at Italy 1934.

SWEDEN - The Swedes were runners-up as World Cup hosts in 1958.

SWITZERLAND - The Swiss have reached the quarter-finals on three occasions.