Nov 21, 2013 2:00:00 AM
Goal lines up all 32 of the teams that will
battle it out next summer for the most
prestigious prize in football
With the completion of the European and
African play-offs, as well as the
intercontinental ties between New Zealand and
Mexico, and Uruguay and Jordan, we now know
the identity of every participant in the 2014
World Cup.
Tuesday's games saw Portugal book their
ticket for next summer's tournament at the
expense of Sweden, as Cristiano Ronaldo netted
four goals over two matches to help his side to
a 4-2 aggregate win.
France, meanwhile, completed an impressive
comeback at the Stade de France as they beat
Ukraine 3-0 to overturn their 2-0 surprise loss
from last Friday.
Elsewhere, Croatia eliminated Iceland as they
recorded a 2-0 home win after a scoreless
draw in the first leg last week. The final
European ticket went to Greece, who sealed
qualification with a 1-1 draw versus Romania
after a 3-1 first-leg victory.
In Africa, Nigeria became the first team to
make it to next year's finals as they beat
Ethiopia 2-0 at the weekend to make it 4-1 on
aggregate. Cote d'Ivoire also booked their
ticket on Saturday as they held Senegal to a
1-1 draw following their first-leg win.
On Sunday, Cameroon qualified with a 4-1
home win over Tunisia, while Ghana eliminated
Egypt 7-3 on aggregate despite their 2-1 defeat
on Tuesday. Finally, Algeria sealed their World
Cup berth following a 1-0 home-win over
Burkina Faso that saw them qualify on away
goals.
Wednesday's intercontinental play-off between
Mexico and New Zealand then saw the former
become the penultimate team to reach next
summer's tournament. A 4-2 away-win more
than proved enough after a heavy 5-1 victory
in the first leg.
Later in the day, two-time champions Uruguay
were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Jordan
in Montevideo, but still cruised through 5-0 on
aggregate to become the 32nd and final side to
qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil.
NATIONS QUALIFIED FOR 2014 WORLD CUP
TEAM CONFEDERATION LAST APPEARANCE BEST PERFORMANCE
Brazil Conmebol 2010 Winners
Argentina Conmebol 2010 Winners
Colombia Conmebol 1998 Round of 16
Chile Conmebol 2010 Third place
Ecuador Conmebol 2006 Round of 16
Uruguay Conmebol 2010 Winners
Netherlands Uefa 2010 Runners-up
Italy Uefa 2010 Winners
Belgium Uefa 2002 Fourth place
Germany Uefa 2010 Winners
Switzerland Uefa 2010 Quarter-finals
Russia Uefa 2002 Fourth place
Bosnia-Herzegovina Uefa - -
Spain Uefa 2010 Winners
England Uefa 2010 Winners
France Uefa 2010 Winners
Croatia Uefa 2006 Third place
Greece Uefa 2010 Group stage
Portugal Uefa 2010 Third place
Japan AFC 2010 Round of 16
Australia AFC 2010 Round of 16
Iran AFC 2006 Group stage
South Korea AFC 2010 Fourth place
Costa Rica Concacaf 2006 Round of 16
USA Concacaf 2010 Third place
Honduras Concacaf 2010 Group stage
Mexico Concacaf 2010 Quarter-finals
Nigeria Caf 2010 Round of 16
Ghana Caf 2010 Quarter-finals
Algeria Caf 2010 Group stage
Cameroon Caf 2010 Quarter-finals
Cote d'Ivoire Caf 2010 Group stage

The nations that have qualified for the World Cup

Line up all 32 of the teams that will battle it out next summer for the most prestigious prize in football

With the completion of the European and African play-offs, as well as the intercontinental ties between New Zealand and Mexico, and Uruguay and Jordan, we now know the identity of every participant in the 2014 World Cup.

Tuesday's games saw Portugal book their ticket for next summer's tournament at the expense of Sweden, as Cristiano Ronaldo netted four goals over two matches to help his side to a 4-2 aggregate win.

France, meanwhile, completed an impressive comeback at the Stade de France as they beat Ukraine 3-0 to overturn their 2-0 surprise loss from last Friday.

Elsewhere, Croatia eliminated Iceland as they recorded a 2-0 home win after a scoreless draw in the first leg last week. The final European ticket went to Greece, who sealed qualification with a 1-1 draw versus Romania after a 3-1 first-leg victory.

In Africa, Nigeria became the first team to make it to next year's finals as they beat Ethiopia 2-0 at the weekend to make it 4-1 on aggregate. Cote d'Ivoire also booked their ticket on Saturday as they held Senegal to a 1-1 draw following their first-leg win.

On Sunday, Cameroon qualified with a 4-1 home win over Tunisia, while Ghana eliminated Egypt 7-3 on aggregate despite their 2-1 defeat on Tuesday. Finally, Algeria sealed their World Cup berth following a 1-0 home-win over Burkina Faso that saw them qualify on away goals.

Wednesday's intercontinental play-off between Mexico and New Zealand then saw the former become the penultimate team to reach next summer's tournament. A 4-2 away-win more than proved enough after a heavy 5-1 victory in the first leg.

Later in the day, two-time champions Uruguay were surprisingly held to a 0-0 draw by Jordan in Montevideo, but still cruised through 5-0 on aggregate to become the 32nd and final side to qualify for next summer's finals in Brazil.

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