World Cup qualifiers: 5 issues to be settled

They’ve certainly got the quality to get six points but Argentina are without a win in their last three games and haven’t won back-to-back qualifiers for 18 months.

Chile

Chile were one of the most entertaining sides at the last two World Cups. They’ve also won the last two Copa America tournaments.

They press from the front and play at lightning speed. And they’ve got two world-class talents in Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal.

La Roja face a real battle to make it to Russia though. They’re currently sixth in the qualifying group, though two wins will be enough to secure at least a play-off place.

Juan Antonio Pizzi’s team should have enough to beat Ecuador at home. But they’ll need to be at their best to beat Brazil away in their final qualifier.

USA

Soccer is well on its way to truly establishing itself as a major sport. Nothing would improve the game’s standing more than a good showing from the USA at the World Cup. But the USMNT are under real pressure in CONCACAF qualifying.

The US have only one two of their eight qualifiers so far. They’re currently fourth and in the play-off position, though they’re level on points with fifth-placed Honduras.

Bruce Arena took over from Jurgen Klinsmann following losses to Mexico and Costa Rica. Arena’s side can’t afford to drop any points against Panama and Trinidad & Tobago.

Netherlands

The Netherlands have been one of the most influential sides in the history of the sport, helping to popularise many of the concepts and tactics that today’s top sides use.

However, the current side is a long way short of their former glory. The Dutch didn’t qualify for Euro 2016 and they could miss the next World Cup too.

Dick Advocaat’s side are three points behind second-placed Sweden in UEFA Group A. If they beat Belarus and Sweden beat Luxembourg in their next games, the two nations could be playing for a play-off place when they meet in the final group game.

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