That’s it. As of last night, we now know which 32 teams will be competing at the 2018 World Cup in Russia after Peru beat New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate to shore up the final qualification berth on offer.
After the first leg in Wellington finished goalless, a goal apiece from Jefferson Farfan and Christian Ramos was enough to seal a 2-0 aggregate victory in Lima, thus sending the Peruvians to their first World Cup in 36 years.
We were also treated to a little bit of silky set-piece magic, courtesy of Christian Cueva…
Regardless, 2-0 it finished, which ultimately saw La Blanquirroja mosey into the 32nd and final available spot at Russia 2018, joining the likes of Morocco and Egypt, both of whom last qualified for a finals tournament over two decades ago (28 years in the latter’s case).
32/32 👌
🇷🇺RUS
🇧🇷BRA
🇮🇷IRN
🇯🇵JPN
🇲🇽MEX
🇧🇪BEL
🇰🇷KOR
🇸🇦KSA
🇩🇪GER
🏴ENG
🇪🇸ESP
🇳🇬NGA
🇨🇷CRC
🇵🇱POL
🇪🇬EGY
🇮🇸ISL
🇷🇸SRB
🇫🇷FRA
🇵🇹POR
🇦🇷ARG
🇨🇴COL
🇺🇾URU
🇵🇦PAN
🇸🇳SEN
🇲🇦MAR
🇹🇳TUN
🇨🇭SUI
🇭🇷CRO
🇸🇪SWE
🇩🇰DEN
🇦🇺AUS
🇵🇪PER— #WCQ (@FIFAWorldCup) November 16, 2017
No Italy, no Netherlands, no Chile, no Ghana, etc.
With all the entrants confirmed, FIFA also announced the pots for the final group stage draw, which is scheduled to take place on 1st December at the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
As ever, no teams from the same confederation can be drawn into the same group, except for UEFA who can have up to two teams pitted in the same group as they have far more member nations taking part.
Image: FIFA World Cup
Roll on December.