The 2022 World Cup in Qatar is now less than eight months away, and the draw for the group stage will take place in Doha on Friday afternoon.

Twenty-nine of the 32 teams have now booked their place on the plane to Qatar, although four-time winners and current European champions Italy are a noticeable absentee, having failed to qualify for the second time in a row.

The remaining three spots will be up for grabs in the summer, with placeholder spots reserved for them in Pot 4 when the group-stage draw takes place.

Here, Sports Mole looks at which teams have qualified for the biggest football tournament on the planet.

UEFA QUALIFIERS

Qualified: Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal

Germany became the first nation other than hosts Qatar to qualify for the World Cup all the way back on October 11, followed a day later by Euro 2020 semi-finalists Denmark.

Defending champions France ensured that they would defend their title in the following international break, a month which also saw the remaining seven other qualifiers seal their tickets.

The world's number-one ranked team Belgium did so on the same day as France, while the following day saw Croatia, Spain and Serbia secure their place.

Euro 2020 runners-up England then stamped their ticket as Group I winners, on the same day Switzerland and Netherlands also sealed top spot in their groups.

Poland and Portugal were forced to go through the qualifiers to confirm their places, overcoming Sweden and North Macedonia respectively in their playoff finals.

One UEFA playoff is still to take place this summer, with Scotland's match against Ukraine being postponed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The winners of that tie will go on to face Wales for a World Cup berth.

Could still qualify: Scotland, Ukraine, Wales

CONMEBOL QUALIFIERS

Qualified: Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay

The four automatic qualification places were decided in South America ahead of their final round of qualifiers, with five-time winners Brazil the first to book their place on November 11.

Lionel Messi's Argentina followed suit five days later, but it was not until last Thursday that the other two automatic places were decided.

Ecuador qualified for just the fourth time in their history - the fewest of any of the confirmed qualifiers so far other than Qatar - despite losing to Paraguay, while two-time winners Uruguay beat Peru to wrap up a top-four spot.

That result knocked Peru down to a playoff position, and victory for them in their final game ensured that they hung on to that spot under pressure from Colombia and Chile.

Could still qualify: Peru

AFC QUALIFIERS

Qualified: Qatar, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia

As the host nation, Qatar qualified for their first ever World Cup by default - one of five AFC nations to have guaranteed their spot at the tournament.

Iran will be appearing at their third successive World Cup having qualified on January 27, and they were swiftly joined by fellow Group A side South Korea as the pair dominated their pool.

The two Group B places were not confirmed until Thursday, when Japan and Saudi Arabia secured automatic qualification spots at Australia's expense.

Australia will instead face the third-placed team from Group A - United Arab Emirates - in a playoff on June 7, with the winners of that tie then going on to take on Peru for a place at the World Cup.

Could still qualify: United Arab Emirates, Australia

CAF QUALIFIERS

Qualified: Senegal, Cameroon, Tunisia, Ghana, Morocco

The African qualifying section came to an end on Tuesday, with Mohamed Salah's Egypt and World Cup regulars Nigeria the biggest names to miss out on qualification.

Africa Cup of Nations champions Senegal beat Egypt to book their place, while Ghana got the better of Nigeria on away goals over two legs in another battle of African heavyweights.

Cameroon also needed the away goals rule to overcome Algeria, while Tunisia beat Mali and Morocco cruised past Congo DR.

Could still qualify: None

CONCACAF QUALIFIERS

Qualified: Canada, USA, Mexico

Canada booked their place at their first World Cup since 1986 with victory over Jamaica on Sunday night, before being joined by USA and Mexico from the CONCACAF section a few days later.

USA's qualification came despite defeat to Costa Rica, with their superior goal difference seeing them through after the two sides finished level on points.

Costa Rica do still have the chance to qualify via a playoff, though, as they will take on New Zealand in an intercontinental showdown in June.

Could still qualify: Costa Rica

OFC QUALIFIERS

Qualified: None

Oceania are not guaranteed any places at the World Cup, with the winner of their section - New Zealand - going into an intercontinental playoff against fourth place from the CONCACAF section, Costa Rica.

New Zealand were heavy favourites to reach that position from their section, and sure enough they thrashed Solomon Islands 5-0 in the OFC qualifying final to book that June meeting with Costa Rica.

Could still qualify: New Zealand