Argentina, Honduras, Slovakia and Switzerland qualified for the World Cup on Wednesday, bringing the number of teams headed to South Africa next summer to 23.
At this point, 18 teams remain in the hunt for just nine berths — four in Europe’s playoffs, three in Africa and one each in the CONCACAF/South America and Asia/Oceania playoffs. Those contests will be decided next month, according to Soccer America magazine.
Costa Rica was on the verge of qualifying, but could only muster a 2-2 draw against the US in a thrilling contest at RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. As a result, Honduras, 1-0 winners over already-eliminated El Salvador, qualified for only its second-ever finals.
Down in South America, Argentina got the result on the road, defeating Uruguay 1-0 in Montevideo. The win qualified Argentina (at the expense of Ecuador), while Uruguay, no strangers to World Cup playoff matches, will have to play in its fourth one in a row when it plays Costa Rica.
France, runners-up at the 2006 World Cup, and Portugal, featuring superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, both finished in second and will have to play a two-leg playoff — but not necessarily against each other since the eight teams from Europe who reached this stage will be seeded.
UEFA will hold the draw for the four playoff matches on Oct. 19.
The final World Cup draw will be held Dec. 4 in Cape Town, South Africa.
Teams that have already qualified (23):
1. South Africa (host)
2. Japan (Asia, Group 1)
3. South Korea (Asia, Group 2)
4. Australia (Asia, Group 1)
5. Netherlands (Europe, Group 9)
6. North Korea (Asia, Group 2)
7. Brazil (South America)
8. Ghana (Africa, Group D)
9. England (Europe, Group 6)
10. Spain (Europe, Group 5)
11. Paraguay (South America)
12. Ivory Coast (Africa, Group E)
13. Germany (Europe, Group 4)
14. Denmark (Europe, Group 1)
15. Serbia (Europe, Group 7)
16. Italy (Europe, Group 8)
17. Chile (South America)
18. Mexico (CONCACAF)
19. USA (CONCACAF)
20. Switzerland (Europe 2)
21. Slovakia (Europe 3)
22. Argentina (South America)
23. Honduras (CONCACAF)
Teams that remain in the hunt (18):
Europe (4 berths)
Group 1 runner-up:
Portugal
Group 2 runner-up:
Greece
Group 3 runner-up:
Slovenia
Group 4 runner-up:
Russia
Group 5 runner-up:
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Group 6 runner-up:
Ukraine
Group 7 runner-up:
France
Group 8 runner-up:
Ireland
First leg: Nov. 14; Second leg: Nov. 18.
(four series winners to finals)
CONCACAF/South America Playoff (1 berth)
Costa Rica (CONCACAF, 4th place) vs. Uruguay (South America, 5th place)
First leg: Nov. 14; Second leg: Nov. 18
(winner to finals)
Asia-Oceania Playoff (1 berth)
Bahrain (Asian playoff winner) vs. New Zealand (Oceania champion)
First leg: 0-0; Second leg: 11/14 at New Zealand)
(winner to finals)
Africa Group A (1 berth)
1. Cameroon (10 points; 7-2; 11/14 at Morocco)
2. Gabon (9 points; 6-3; 11/14 at Togo)
(winner to finals)
Africa Group B (1 berth)
1. Tunisia (11 points; 7-3; 11/14 at Mozambique)
2. Nigeria (9 points; 6-2; 11/14 at Kenya)
(winner to finals)
Africa Group C (1 berth)
1. Algeria (13 points; 9-2; 11/14 at Egypt)
2. Egypt (10 points; 7-4; 11/14 vs. Algeria)
(winner to finals)