The qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, particularly for the European teams, are now reaching the business end.
It was only a matter of months ago that hearts of a nation were broken as England fell to a penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
The focus is now firmly on the Qatar World Cup, which will be the first-ever winter edition of the historic tournament to avoid the country's debilitating summer heat.
It officially gets underway in just over a year's time in November 2022, and qualification stages across the globe are now creeping towards an enticing crescendo, with Germany and Denmark - and hosts Qatar - the first nations worldwide to book a spot in the competition.
England suffered a disappointing home draw against Hungary last time out, but they should still qualify as group winners. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal turned their fortunes around on Thursday night and now sit top of their respective groups - but it's not over yet.
It's not just those in Europe vying for an all-important plane ticket to Qatar, with Uruguay trailing Brazil and Argentina in the battle of the South Americans, while Senegal, Morocco and Mali are the only nations to secure a place in the African play-offs, which takes place next march.
Sportsmail takes you through the qualification processes across the globe, which nations could find themselves in a spot of bother, and the key clashes to look out for.
Who has already qualified?
Just three nations have officially confirmed their spot in the 2022 World Cup, of course one being Qatar.
Having controversially won the bid to host the tournament, Qatar automatically qualified for the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.
Germany have been one of the more impressive outfits throughout qualifying, though not competing against the best opposition, and they officially booked their spot in the tournament as they breezed past North Macedonia 4-0 in the previous international break.
Now under the guidance of Hansi Flick, who has made the best start of any Germany manage in history, they have won eight of their nine qualifiers, including Thursday night's 9-0 victory over Liechtenstein, losing only in their home tie against North Macedonia.
Denmark, who have somewhat gone under the radar throughout the group stages, have also qualified.
They booked their spot in the tournament as they beat Austria 1-0 in October. It means they have won all eight of their qualifiers without conceding a single goal.
Who is in danger of missing out from Europe?
Of those who are yet to qualify, perhaps only Belgium have some genuine breathing space, sitting five points clear at the top of Group E.
Group D leaders France look certain to qualify, however, while England are also in a favourable position.
It's only the winners of each group who will automatically progress to the World Cup, with the runners-up going into a play-off round.
Group A: Portugal and Serbia go head-to-head
Portugal were expected the waltz through Group A but they now find themselves in a one-game shootout for automatic qualification.
They were second going into their penultimate clash, which is the lowest they could finish with Luxembourg then 10 points behind in third.
But despite being frustrated in a 0-0 draw away at the Republic of Ireland, they now top the group with one game to play, edging ahead of previous leaders Serbia who had played a game more.
Cristiano Ronaldo wasted a late chance to put Portugal two points clear, though in scoring give six goals in as many appearances - as well as notching his 10th international hat-trick in their 5-0 win over Luxembourg - there can't be too many complaints.
The stage is now set for an epic battle between Portugal and Serbia in Lisbon on Sunday, with the match set to determine who will qualify and who will go into the play-offs.
As stated, Portugal are currently in the lead with a significantly better goal difference and would book their spot in Qatar with a draw.
Serbia, who have already guaranteed a play-off place at a minimum, would top the group with a win.
Remaining fixtures:
Group B: Spain and Sweden battle for qualification
Like Portugal, Spain were also in second place going into the penultimate round of fixtures, with Sweden leading the way.
Luis Enrique's side turned it around on Thursday, however, clinching an all-important 1-0 away win at Greece, while Sweden fell to a 2-0 defeat by Georgia.
Spain, who recently lost 2-1 to France in the final of the Nations League, are now a point ahead of Sweden with a game to play.
Sweden could have clinched automated qualification on Thursday had they beaten Georgia, so long as Spain fell to defeat against Greece.
Instead, we now have another enticing final-day showdown, with Spain hosting Sweden on Sunday in a decisive fixture.
Spain simply have to avoid defeat and they'll be on their way to Qatar, while anything but a win will see Sweden compete in the play-offs next March.
Remaining fixtures:
Group C: Italy not over the line yet
In Group C, Euro 2020 champions Italy have not yet confirmed their participation in the 2022 World Cup.
With two games remaining, they are on level points with current runners-up Switzerland, who are behind on goal difference alone.
Both sides have won four and drawn two of their six fixtures, sharing the points in the clash in Switzerland back in September.
The good news for both sides is that neither can finish below second, with Bulgaria six points behind in third having played a game more.
It will largely come down to their intense encounter on November 12, when the European champions host Switzerland.
A win would put Roberto Mancini's side in pole position heading into their final fixture, though it's goal difference - rather than head-to-head record - that will have the last say.
Even with a win, they would still need at least a point against Northern Ireland to guarantee their progression.
This one will go down to the wire; nothing can be decided until the final round of fixtures.
Remaining fixtures:
Group D: France are nearly there
France, who as stated won the Nations League with victory over Spain, are also almost there in terms of World Cup qualification.
They can still be caught by Ukraine, Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, but they are certainly the favourites to top the group with two matches to play.
That's despite not being at their best throughout qualification, with just three wins from six, alongside three draws.
Up next for Les Bleus is a home tie against Kazakhstan, who haven't won a game yet in their seven matches to date.
A win would take them six points clear of Ukraine with a game to play and put them out of touch of both Finland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, regardless of the result from their match-up, meaning they'd qualify for the World Cup.
France finish their qualification group away at Finland on November 16, which could be interesting if they lose to Kazakhstan and the hosts beat Bosnia and Herzegovina three days prior.
But ultimately, that's unlikely and France are expected to progress as group winners.
Remaining fixtures:
Group E: Wales guaranteed a play-off place at least
With two games to play, Belgium have already all-but secured a place at next winter's World Cup, having claimed five wins and a draw from their six outings.
They would confirm that place with a win in their home tie against Estonia on Saturday.
While it's advantage Wales in the battle for second place, level on points with current runners-up Czech Republic with a game in hand, they now approach their final two games knowing a play-off place at least is already in the bag.
That's due to their accomplishments in the Nations League, with Spain's victory over Greece confirming Wales' place.
Wales were ranked behind Spain, France, Italy and Belgium via the Nations League, but all four sides ahead of them are now guaranteed at least a top two place.
That means that even if they finish third, Wales will still compete in next March's play-offs, though entering as an unseeded team and thus playing away.
Winning the group is still mathematically possible for Wales, though highly unlikely, but it's still worth fighting for second place.
They play Belarus at home on Saturday, a game they should win given their opponents have just three points in seven games and are already out.
The Czech Republic play Estonia at home in their final outing, and should Wales fall to defeat against Belgium, it could all come down to goal difference.
Wales will be hoping Belgium have already qualified by then, but it could become tense regardless.
Remaining fixtures:
Group F: Scotland eyeing up second place
Group F already have a winner in Denmark, who secured their spot for the Qatar World Cup without conceding a goal.
It's down to a two-horse race for a place as runner-up, with Scotland and Israel set to battle it out.
Scotland are certainly in the better position of the two, sat four points above Israel with two games remaining.
They could secure a spot in the play-offs with a win in their penultimate fixture against Moldova, who have lost seven of their eight qualifiers to date.
Meanwhile, Israel face a trickier trip to Austria, who are facing a surprising early exit from the qualification proceedings.
Scotland won't want the gap between themselves and Israel to decrease before their final outing against Denmark, with the latter taking on Faroe Islands at home.
Remaining fixtures:
Group G: Netherlands battle against Norway and Turkey
The Netherlands, and particularly Memphis Depay, have been impressive throughout the qualification process.
They have won six of their eight games, though drawing against current runners-up Norway and losing to Turkey in their opening fixture back in March.
Depay is currently the top scorer across European qualification, with a stunning nine goals and six assists in eight games.
Despite their success, qualification is not yet secured, with Norway just two points behind with as many games to play.
It could be a very different picture come the final group game, with the Netherlands facing a difficult trip to Montenegro, while Norway play at home to Latvia.
Yet, the Netherlands could qualify on Saturday, should they beat Montenegro and Norway lose.
Meanwhile Turkey, who could still take second or first place, can pile the pressure on as they play Gibraltar on November 13.
Coming up on November 16 is an enticing clash between the Netherlands and Norway, which could determine who qualifies for the World Cup and who goes into the play-off round.
Remaining fixtures:
Group H: Croatia and Russia battling it out
Group H already has its top two confirmed, with Croatia and Russia unable to be caught.
However, it's the battle for top spot and an automatic qualification for the World Cup that is up for grabs with just one game to play.
Croatia are currently the runners-up and could well have to negotiate their way through the play-off round if they are to make Qatar.
Both sides stormed past their opponents on Thursday, with Russia maintaining their status as group leaders with a 6-0 win over Cyprus, while Croatia eased to an emphatic 7-1 away win at Malta.
It now all comes down to their final-day clash on Sunday, with Croatia hosting Russia in an intriguing affair.
For Croatia, it's a win or a play-off place, while Russia just have to avoid a loss.
Remaining fixtures:
Group I: England still have work to do after Hungary draw
Group I is reaching a fascinating conclusion, with England's disappointing draw against Hungary keeping proceedings alive.
The Three Lions could have guaranteed at least a top-two finish and moved five points ahead of current runners-up Poland with a win, but they were made to settle for a 1-1 draw.
And it's now all pressure on, with Poland likely to win their next outing away at Andorra, who have lost six of their eight Group I fixtures.
England, meanwhile, take on Albania at home on November 12 in what could prove a telling fixture.
Of course, it's a game England should win, and so is their final fixture against San Marino away, so even any marginal thoughts England won't qualify are at this point premature.
But even so, Albania will know that a runner-up spot is still very much possible and will not make it easy for Gareth Southgate's side.
To guarantee a spot in the World Cup, England need four points from their remaining two games. Of course, should Poland fail to win on Friday evening, England could seal qualification.
Remaining fixtures:
Group J: Germany are through, with second place up for grabs
Germany have already secured qualification as Group J winners, having won eight of their nine games.
It now comes down to the duo of Romania and North Macedonia to decide who will finish second.
It's a position entirely up for grabs, though it's North Macedonia currently in second and in pole position as things stand.
Indeed, it's still mathematically possible for Armenia to make the top two, but with a goal difference of -8 it seems highly unlikely.
North Macedonia, who leapfrogged Romania into second place with a massive 5-0 away win over Armenia on Thursday, face Iceland at home on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Romania will travel to Liechtenstein following their 0-0 draw at home to Iceland.
Remaining fixtures:
What about outside of Europe?
Of course, it's not just those from Europe vying for a place in the 2022 World Cup, with a plethora of high-profile nations worldwide in the midst of a qualification battle.
Starting with South America, it's looking pretty safe for both Brazil and Argentina as things stand; they are first and second respectively in the 10-nation table.
Argentina are five points clear of their closest rivals Ecuador with two games in hand, while Brazil are 14 points ahead with one game in hand.
It's the top four who will qualify for the World Cup, with the team in fifth going into the inter-confederation play-off. As it stands, that would be Colombia.
Uruguay are in danger of missing out entirely, currently in sixth place, though they've played a game less than Colombia in fifth and Chile in fourth.
They come up against Argentina in an intriguing affair on Friday night.
Moving on to Africa, Morocco, Senegal and Mali are the only teams to have officially progressed to next March's play-off round, with the other seven groups still up for grabs.
The winner of each group progresses to the next round, with the remaining three teams eliminated from the competition.
With that said, Algeria still have their work cut out, level with Burkina Faso on 10 points with two games to play.
Meanwhile, Ivory Coast are just a point ahead of Cameroon, while South Africa and Ghana will go head-to-head to determine who will progress from their group on Sunday.
As for Asia, there are two groups of six teams competing, with the winners and runners-up of each to qualify for Qatar.
Group A: Iran, South Korea, Lebanon, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, Syria
Group B: Saudi Arabia, Australia, Japan, Oman, China, Vietnam
Iran currently lead Group A with South Korea in second, while Saudi Arabia are top of Group B with Australia three points behind.
There will be a total of 14 matches played by each team to determine the CONCACAF nations who progress, with the top three qualifying and the fourth-placed side going to the inter-confederation play-off.
The top four are currently Mexico, USA, Canada and Panama after six games.
When does the World Cup start and how will it work?
The World Cup will take place between November 21 and December 18 next year with a total of 32 teams - initially split into eight groups of four - competing for the grand prize.
The group stages will begin on November 21 and will run for 12 days, with four matches being played on each.
Typically, the top two teams from each group will progress to the round of 16. There won't be any third-place teams progressing to the knockouts, as we saw at Euro 2020 this summer.
In another difference to Euro 2020, there also won't be a third-place play-off taking place at the World Cup.
The group stages will come to an end on December 2, with the round of 16 then played from December 3-6.
The quarter-finals will then take place from December 9-10, before the semi-finals are played on December 13 and 14.
The final of the 2022 World Cup will take place on Sunday, December 18.