The picture so far
QUALIFYING KINGS
Germany have not lost a World Cup finals or qualifying game since the 2010 semifinal against Spain. They came through 2018 qualifying with 10 wins from 10 -- scoring 43 times and only conceding on four occasions.
Belgium, Spain and England all came through European qualifying unbeaten too.
Brazil cruised through South American qualifying - but only after replacing manager Dunga with Tite midway through the campaign. They had only won one of their opening six qualifiers, but under Tite they won 10 and drew two of their final 12 games to finish 10 points clear.
In Asia, Iran came through two different groups unbeaten - 18 games without defeat that included a run of 12 consecutive clean sheets.
Morocco qualified without conceding a goal in their six-game African group, finishing top ahead of Ivory Coast.
THE DEBUTANTS
Iceland are the only country with a population of under one million to have ever reached a World Cup. The Nordic nation had never qualified for a major tournament before Euro 2016, when they beat England on their way to the quarterfinals.
Central American nation Panama reached their first World Cup thanks
to an 88th-minute winner against Costa Rica, which also eliminated
the United States.
FIRST TIMERS
This World Cup will be the first time that there will be five Asian sides in the tournament. Iran, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Australia will be representing the continent. Although these five teams also featured in the 2006 edition, Australia at the time qualified as a memeber of the OFC.
After none qualified for the last World Cup, a record three Nordic countries have qualified this time around.
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