The World Cup in Qatar is now less than 10 months away — but there is still plenty to decide before the tournament kicks off.
To make sure the World Cup qualifying process can finish this summer, Fifa has created an extra international window, taking place from January 24 to February 2.
So, while European clubs have been afforded a winter break with their qualification up to date, it could prove a key couple of weeks for those in South America, Asia and the Concacaf region, which features sides from North and Central America and the Caribbean.
BBC Sport takes a look at how qualification is panning out.
The exit of a world giant? - South America
They have won the World Cup twice, haven’t missed a tournament since 2006 and boast the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Luis Suarez and Manchester United’s Edinson Cavani in their ranks, but Uruguay are in real danger of missing out on Qatar.
Four defeats in a row leave them seventh in South American qualifying with four matches remaining, ahead of crucial matches against Paraguay on Thursday and Venezuela on Tuesday February 1.
The top four South American nations qualify directly, while the fifth-placed side can advance via inter-continental playoffs featuring three other nations from Asia, Concacaf and Oceania, with Brazil and Argentina already through.
It is far from terminal for La Celeste though, who are just one point behind fourth-placed Colombia and have recently sacked manager Oscar Tabarez — after a 15-year reign — and replaced him with former Inter Miami boss Diego Alonso.
Third-placed Ecuador look favourites to secure the third automatic spot, while just two points separate Colombia in fourth and Bolivia in eighth.
