17 Teams have already secured their place at the World Cup Russia 2018
So far, 17 teams have secured their place at the World Cup Russia 2018, leaving 15 spots still available. Nine of these spots will be determined today, with three of them being in South America, in addition to a half ticket for the playoff against New Zealand.
One of the four direct World Cup tickets given by Conmebol is already secured by Brazil, which has guaranteed its place since August, but it is worth mentioning that mathematically, the 'Seleção' had already secured its spot since the April FIFA date.
However, the remaining three spots, in addition to the playoff, are being contested by six teams, including Chile, the current two-time champion of America, Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia, Peru, and even Uruguay, who could still miss out on the World Cup.
Argentina
The case of the 'Albiceleste' is quite critical. Argentina will play at the 2,850 meters of Quito, where they are obliged to win to keep their aspirations to go to Russia 2018 alive.
The team led by Jorge Sampaoli has 25 points and is in sixth place in the standings; if they win in Ecuador, they would reach 28 points. In such case, they would secure the playoff spot, however, for Argentina to qualify directly, the combination needed is for Chile to lose against Brazil and for Colombia to draw with Peru.
If they get a draw, they would only have to wait for Paraguay not to win and for Peru to lose against Colombia, to go to goal difference. If Argentina loses in Quito against the 'Tricolor', they will be eliminated from the World Cup Russia 2018, being the first World Cup they would miss since Mexico 1970.
Chile
Until a couple of matchdays ago, the current two-time champions of America were in exactly the same position as Argentina, however, their victory against Ecuador, along with certain combinations of results, placed them in third position, a place they had not been since the second matchday of the qualifiers.
Chile will play against Brazil, the only team already qualified in Conmebol for the World Cup, so victory could be feasible for the Andean team given the circumstances. If they get the three points, 'La Roja' secures its place in Russia, waiting only to improve their position. To be in second place, Chile hopes that Uruguay loses against Bolivia and that Peru wins or draws against Colombia.
If the Andean team gets a draw, they will start depending on other teams, as this result would put them at serious risk, leaving the door open for Peru, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay to overtake them. In case of a draw, 'La Roja' needs Argentina and 'La Albirroja' not to win their matches, and also hopes that the 'Inca' squad defeats the 'Cafeteros'.
With a defeat, Chile would be almost eliminated, but Colombia would have to defeat Peru, Argentina would have to lose, and Paraguay would have to not win against Venezuela to secure the playoff.
Colombia
Colombia has the same number of points as Chile, but is in fourth place due to goal difference. If the 'Cafeteros' win, they secure their place at Russia 2018, with the possibility of finishing second in the standings; for this, Uruguay has to lose against Bolivia, and Chile must not win against Brazil.
A draw would also leave them in a compromised position. In case of a draw, the Colombian team needs Argentina and 'La Albirroja' not to win their matches, and also hopes that Brazil defeats Chile.
If they lose, the Colombians need to wait for Argentina and Paraguay to lose their matches.
Uruguay
The 'Charrúas' are almost qualified for the World Cup, however, their qualification still carries a minimal risk. For Uruguay to be eliminated, they would first have to lose against Bolivia, Chile and Colombia would have to win, and Argentina would have to defeat Ecuador by a difference of 12 goals. The worst scenario for 'La Celeste' is the playoff. Practically, Uruguay is fighting for positions in the table.
Peru
Peru aspires to qualify for its first World Cup since Spain 1982. The 'Inca' squad needs a victory, hoping that Chile does not win in their respective match. If they want to finish in second place, the same has to happen, but they have to win by more than two goals against Colombia, and Bolivia has to defeat Uruguay.
If Peru and Argentina get the same result, the tiebreaker by goals would give the advantage to the Andean team, forcing 'La Albiceleste' to win by more than 10 goals.
Peru secures the playoff spot with a victory, combined with a defeat or a draw by Argentina, eliminating Paraguay. Alternatively, with a defeat, they would have to wait for 'La Albiceleste' to lose and for 'La Albirroja' not to win.
Paraguay
The Paraguayans require a victory against Venezuela, hoping for any result other than a draw in the Colombia vs. Peru match, for Argentina not to win in Ecuador, and for Chile to lose against Brazil.
In case the Colombia vs. Peru match ends in a draw and Chile gets points against Brazil, they would need Argentina not to win and they would go to goal difference against the 'Cafeteros', as 'La Roja' surpasses them by more than seven goals.
With a draw, they would need Peru and Argentina to lose, but with a goal difference of -5, they would be eliminated. The same applies if they lose.