Perhaps the biggest name to miss the big event is Portugal. They have some work ahead of them as they are seven points behind leaders Denmark and four points off second-placed Hungary in group 1. The top team in each group qualifies for South Africa, while the second team enters a playoff.

The 2006 World cup runnersup, France are five points adrift of top place Serbia in group 7. They do have a game in hand however it is looking likely that France could have to earn their spot through a playoff.

Another team struggling to qualify is Sweden. They are in the same group as Denmark and Portugal and are currently in fourth spot. It is hard to see them making the finals despite being in the finals on 11 occasions including the past two world cups. In overnight action they did at least manage a 4-0 win over Malta to make up some ground.

The Czech Republic and Turkey are other teams with a long way to go before they get close to qualifying. More than likely you could write them off now.

Looking across the Atlantic to the CONCACAF zone, Mexico are struggling to reach the finals. Zven-Goran Eriksson paid the price for the teams poor form and was removed as national team coach after a 3-1 loss at Honduras. Currently Mexico are in the play-off place one point behind El Salvador, who currently hold the final automatic berth after five matches. A 2-1 win at home over Trinidad and Tobago improved their position as before Matchday 5 Mexico were below El Salvador.

In Africa only the top nation in each of the five groups will advance. There is no second chance. After two matchdays, Cameroon and Morocco are left five points adrift of surprise group leader, Gabon. Between the two of them, Cameroon and Morocco have qualified for the previous nine FIFA World Cups.

The last qualifying spot for the World Cup finals in South Africa will be decided on November 18 when the fifth place team from South America takes on the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF. If that match were to be played today we would see Mexico play Ecuador.