So we are near the end of the group stage of qualifying in Europe and Africa, 2/3rds of the way in South America, halfway in North America and Asia and Oceania qualifying might never get off the ground.
Europe
Group A - (11/14) Serbia needs to beat Portugal in Lisbon to qualify. Portugal only needs a point.
Group B - (11/14) Sweden needs to beat Spain in Seville to qualify. Spain only needs a point.
Group C - (11/15) Italy ahead of Switzerland by +2 on goal difference. Italy plays at Northern Ireland while Switzerland hosts Bulgaria.
Group D - (11/16) France has qualified. Finland (11 pts, +2 GD) and Ukraine (9 pts, +1 GD) battling for a playoff spot. Finland hosts France while Ukraine is at Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Group E - (11/16) Belgium qualify. Wales and Czech Republic to the playoff. One will qualify as group runner-up, the other through the Nations League. Nothing to see here.
Group F - (11/15) Denmark qualify. Scotland and Austria (via Nations League) to the playoff. Nothing to see here.
Group G - (11/16) Netherlands (23 pts, +23 GD) most likely only need a point at home to Norway (18 pts, +9 GD) to qualify. Turkey (18pts, +10 GD) need to win at Montenegro to assure at least a playoff spot.
Group H - (11/14) Croatia needs to beat Russia in Split to qualify. Russia only needs a point.
Group I - (11/15) England have virtually qualified. Poland needs England to lose in San Marino and beat Hungary by at least five goals at home. Not happening.
Group J - (11/14) Germany has qualified. North Macedonia (15 pts, +10 GD) and Romania (14 pts, +3 GD) battling for the last spot. North Macedonia hosts Iceland while Romania goes to Liechtenstein. Armenia (12 pts, -8 GD) still mathematically alive but pretty much eliminated.
Africa
Group A - (11/16) Burkina Faso needs to win in Algeria to advance. Algeria only needs a point.
Group B - (11/16) Tunisia ahead of Equatorial Guinea by +2 on goal difference. Tunisia hosts Zambia while Equatorial Guinea travels to Mauritania.
Group C - (11/16) Cape Verde needs to beat Nigeria in Lagos to advance. Nigeria only needs a point.
Group D - (11/16) Cameroon needs to beat Ivory Coast at home to advance. Ivory Coast only needs a point.
Group E - Mali have advanced
Group F - Egypt have advanced
Group G - (11/14) Ghana needs to beat South Africa at home to advance. South Africa only needs a point.
Group H - Senegal have advanced
Group I - Morocco have advanced
Group J - (11/14) DR Congo needs to beat Benin at home to advance. Benin only needs a point.
North America
Panama holding their own chasing a top three spot but still have to go Mexico and the United States. Top three look set while there's going to be a battle for the playoff spot.
South America
Brazil have qualified and Argentina will join them soon. At least 2, probably 3 mediocre teams will qualify from here.
Asia
Qatar are hosts.
Group A: Iran and South Korea look certain to qualify. The other four teams (Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and United Arab Emirates) are fighting for the playoff spots.
Group B: Still all to play for here, only China and Vietnam seem to be out. Saudi Arabia look to have pole position. Australia still have to go to Oman and Saudi Arabia. Oman is in the mix as a result of a shock win in Japan.
Oceania
Qualifying here won't start until March at the earliest and it will most likely be in Qatar.