European Qualifiers: the story so far

• Nine group winners advance directly to join Russia at the 32-team 2018 FIFA World Cup.
• Eight runners-up with the best record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their groups proceed to play-offs to decide the remaining four European berths.

• NEXT GAMES: 24-26 MARCH – FIXTURES AND RESULTS
  
• PERFECT 12 POINTS: SWITZERLAND, GERMANY BELGIUM – STANDINGS
• TOP SCORERS: CRISTIANO RONALDO, ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI (7) – STATS

Group A
Leaders: France (10 points)
Second: Netherlands (7)

Story so far
France won 1-0 in the Netherlands in October and 2-1 against Sweden in November to open up a lead. Belarus have held France but drawn with Luxembourg and lost to Bulgaria, who are a point behind second.

Key results
Sweden 1-1 Netherlands, Netherlands 0-1 France, France 2-1 Sweden

Next games
Saturday: Sweden v Belarus, Luxembourg v France, Bulgaria v Netherlands

Group B
Leaders: Switzerland (12)
Second: Portugal (9)

Story so far
Switzerland beat newly-crowned European champions Portugal 2-0 in September and have stayed on top with narrow wins against Hungary, Andorra and the Faroe Islands. Portugal have since scored 16 times in three games to give themselves a goal difference edge should they host Switzerland on 10 October still three points behind. Hungary, on seven points, cannot afford to lose in Portugal on Saturday.

Key results
Switzerland 2-0 Portugal, Faroe Islands 0-0 Hungary, Hungary 2-3 Switzerland

Next games
Saturday: Andorra v Faroe Islands, Switzerland v Latvia, Portugal v Hungary

Group C
Leaders: Germany (12)
Second: Northern Ireland (7)

Story so far
With four wins and 16 unanswered goals, it seems unlikely that Germany will not be defending their title in Russia. Azerbaijan made their best-ever start to a qualifying campaign by beating San Marino and Norway before drawing in the Czech Republic, but fell 3-0 in Northern Ireland on Friday. The Czechs beat Norway to go within two points of second.

Key results
Azerbaijan 1-0 Norway, Germany 3-0 Czech Republic, Northern Ireland 4-0 Azerbaijan

Next games
Sunday: San Marino v Czech Republic, Azerbaijan v Germany, Northern Ireland v Norway

• ALL THE HIGHLIGHTS SO FAR

Group D
Leaders: Republic of Ireland (10)
Second: Serbia (8)

Story so far
Having equalised late in Serbia on the opening day, Ireland have since beaten Georgia and won in Moldova and Austria to open up a lead. Wales conceded a late equaliser themselves at home to Serbia in November and are two points off third place after three draws in a row. Wales's trip to Ireland on Thursday looks pivotal to their hopes.

Key results
Serbia 2-2 Republic of Ireland, Austria 0-1 Republic of Ireland, Wales 1-1 Serbia

Next games
Friday: Georgia v Serbia, Republic of Ireland v Wales, Austria v Moldova

Group E
Leaders: Poland (10)
Second: Montenegro (7)

Story so far
Just five points separate the top four with Denmark and Romania far from out of it. November's results may well prove crucial as Poland won 3-0 in Romania and Armenia came back from two down to triumph 3-2 in added time against a Montenegro side previously unbeaten, including victory in Denmark.

Key results
Poland 3-2 Denmark, Denmark 0-1 Montenegro, Romania 0-3 Poland

Next games
Sunday: Armenia v Kazakhstan, Montenegro v Poland, Romania v Denmark

Group F
Leaders: England (10)
Second: Slovenia (8)

Story so far
England may have had an unexpected change of manager but they are yet to concede a goal and their 3-0 Wembley defeat of Scotland left their neighbours six points behind in fifth. Slovenia, who held England 0-0, are proving tough to beat and lead Slovakia by two points thanks to a 1-0 win in October. Lithuania's draws with Slovenia and Scotland have also given them a chance but they are yet to play England.

Key results
Slovakia 0-1 England, Slovenia 1-0 Slovakia, England 3-0 Scotland

Next games
Sunday: England v Lithuania, Malta v Slovakia, Scotland v Slovenia

• PLAY DAILY 11s

Group G
Leaders: Spain (10)
Second: Italy (10)

Story so far
Spain have a goal difference advantage over Italy, with whom they drew 1-1 in October, with Israel a point behind after November's 2-0 win away to nine-man Albania. FYR Macedonia are without a point despite running Albania, Israel and Italy close.

Key results
Israel 1-3 Italy, Italy 1-1 Spain, Albania 0-2 Spain

Next games
Friday: Liechtenstein v FYR Macedonia, Italy v Albania, Spain v Israel

Group H
Leaders: Belgium (12)
Second: Greece (10)

Story so far
An 8-1 defeat of Estonia means Belgium have 21 goals from their four wins and will look to open up a substantial lead when Greece visit next. Still, Greece are unbeaten and only dropped their first points when held 1-1 by Bosnia and Herzegovina in November, a far cry from their miserable UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying campaign. Bosnia and Herzegovina remain three points off second.

Key results
Greece 2-0 Cyprus, Belgium 4-0 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina

Next games
Saturday: Bosnia and Herzegovina v Gibraltar, Cyprus v Estonia, Belgium v Greece

Group I
Leaders: Croatia (10)
Second: Ukraine (8)

Story so far
Another close group with Iceland a point off Ukraine and Turkey two further back. Croatia moved ahead last time out by beating Iceland 2-0 while Ukraine defeated Finland 1-0. Turkey have drawn with Croatia and Ukraine but lost in Iceland.

Key results
Turkey 2-2 Ukraine, Iceland 2-0 Turkey, Croatia 2-0 Iceland

Next games
Friday: Turkey v Finland, Kosovo v Iceland, Croatia v Ukraine