Long-term absentees make triumphant returns

A tense final day of the African qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ ended with Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia joining Egypt and Nigeria as the continent’s five qualifiers.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=long-term-absentees-make-triumphant-returns-2919837.html

Dalic appointment pays off for Croatia

Luka Modric and Zlatko Dalic have been reacting to Croatia's play-off triumph over Greece, with the midfielder saying it would be "crazy" if Dalic does not now lead the team at Russia 2018.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=dalic-appointment-pays-off-for-croatia-2919810.html

Croatia book their place at Russia 2018

Croatia have qualified for a second consecutive FIFA World Cup after a goalless draw in Greece on Sunday evening secured a 4-1 aggregate victory.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=croatia-book-their-place-at-russia-2018-2919755.html

Switzerland qualify for fourth consecutive World Cup

Switzerland hung on to their 1-0 lead over Northern Ireland from the first leg of their play-off and played out a goalless draw in the second leg in Basel to book their ticket to the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=switzerland-qualify-for-fourth-consecutive-world-cup-2919719.html

Eagles of Carthage take off for Russia

In qualifying for Russia 2018, Tunisia ended a 12-year absence from the world finals. FIFA.com spoke to the players who made it happen.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=eagles-of-carthage-take-off-for-russia-2919711.html

Afghan Premier League takes another step

Football in Afghanistan took another positive step recently following the successful conclusion of the sixth season of the Afghan Premier League.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/live-scores/news/y=2017/m=11/news=afghan-premier-league-takes-another-step-forward-2919689.html

Northern Ireland still believe

After suffering a 1-0 defeat in the first leg of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ play-off, Northern Ireland must record a victory over Switzerland in Basel today to stand a chance of booking a berth at the global finals.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=northern-ireland-still-believe-2919367.html

Ireland hold Denmark to goalless draw in first leg

Republic of Ireland held Denmark to a goalless draw in Copenhagen in the teams' first leg of their 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ qualifying play-off tie.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=ireland-hold-denmark-to-goalless-draw-in-first-leg-2919597.html

Morocco, Tunisia reach Russia 2018

Morocco and Tunisia completed CAF's line-up at the FIFA World Cup™, securing the last of Africa's berths at Russia 2018.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=tunisia-morocco-reach-russia-2018-2919583.html

Russia and Argentina re-open Luzhniki Stadium in style

Sergio Aguero scored the only goal of the game as Russia and Argentina heralded a new chapter in the history of the Luzhniki Stadium, the flagship arena for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. The match was a good test for both teams in the build-up to the tournament next summer.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=russia-argentina-reopen-luzhniki-stadium-style-2919562-2919601.html

The Week in Numbers

Neymar, Ezequiel Lavezzi, Olivier Giroud, Romelu Lukaku, David Silva and an infant American feature as FIFA.com reviews the last seven days in stats.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/news/y=2017/m=11/news=the-week-in-numbers-2919214.html

Four aims for Switzerland in Basel play-off leg

After recording a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their play-off tie in Northern Ireland on Thursday, Switzerland now face the final hurdle in the return fixture in Basel on Sunday. FIFA.com outlines what La Nati must do to book their ticket to Russia.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=four-aims-for-switzerland-in-basel-play-off-leg-2919554.html

Tense stalemate leaves World Cup berth in the balance

New Zealand and Peru played out a finely-balanced scoreless draw on Saturday, leaving all to play in Lima on Wednesday when 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualifying draws to a close.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=tense-draw-leaves-world-cup-berth-in-the-balance-2919536.html

Draw leaves Australia with slender advantage

Australia earned a scoreless draw against Honduras in the first leg of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia intercontinental play-off, gaining a slim advantage heading into Wednesday’s return.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=draw-leaves-australia-with-slender-advantage-2919531.html

Johansson gives Sweden first-leg advantage

A second-half strike by Jakob Johansson gave Sweden a valuable 1-0 home win over Italy in the first leg of their European zone play-off for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ on Friday evening.
Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=johansson-gives-sweden-first-leg-advantage-2919416.html

Senegal book World Cup ticket

Senegal sealed a return to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time since their 2002 debut thanks to a 2-0 win over South Africa in World Cup qualifying African Group D.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=senegal-book-world-cup-ticket-2919432.html

Dalic, Croatia reap rewards of attacking intent

While expected to face a defensively resolute Greece, Croatia danced towards the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia with a 4-1 win in the first leg of their European play-off thanks to a gameplan built on width and positivity.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=dalic-croatia-reap-rewards-of-attacking-intent-2919370.html

Four reasons behind Peru’s revival

With Peru two games away from making their first FIFA World Cup™ appearance since Spain 1982, FIFA.com picks out four key aspects that allowed them to revive what looked set to be another failed qualification campaign.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=four-reasons-behind-peru-s-revival-2919361.html

Pair line up for rare World Cup opportunity

FIFA.com runs the rule over the intercontinental play-off between New Zealand and Peru, where the latter are seeking to end a 36-year World Cup drought.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=pair-line-up-for-rare-world-cup-opportunity-2919217.html

Contrasting styles mark final joust for Russia ticket

FIFA.com previews the intercontinental play-off between Australia and Honduras where a tight contest seems assured despite the pair's differing playing styles.

Source: http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/y=2017/m=11/news=contrasting-styles-mark-final-joust-for-russia-ticket-2919215.html

Source: http://www.fifa.com/index.html