World Cup qualifying back under way today with action in Asia, Africa, Europe and South America. Below I'll do the usual TV schedule and also recap where things stand for the unitiated to the process.

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Qualified Teams
Russia (hosts)
Iran

All Times CDT

AFC Qualifying (Asia) - Matchday 9 of 10
In Asia, the two top countries in each qualifying group progress to Russia 2018. The third-placed sides will contest a two-leg playoff. The winner of that playoff takes on the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF in a two-leg playoff for a berth in Russia.

Group A
South Korea - Iran, 7 a.m. (ESPN3)
China - Uzbekistan, 7 a.m.
Syria - Qatar, 8:45 a.m.

Iran have already won Group A and are the first team to qualify for the finals. South Korea will join them in the finals with a victory in Seoul and defeat for Uzbekistan.

Group B
Japan - Australia, 5:35 a.m. (ESPN3)
Thailand - Iraq, 7 a.m.

Saudi Arabia handed a gift to both Japan and Australia after losing 2-1 to the UAE on Tuesday. That gives the group favorites a lifeline to claim the top two spots though they play each other today. Thailand and Iraq have both been eliminated from contention.

CAF Qualifying (Africa) - Matchday 3 of 6
In Africa, we are down to five groups of four teams each. Each group winner will progress to Russia 2018. No playoff berths in Africa in this cycle.

Group A
Guinea - Libya, noon (beIN Connect 3)

Guinea and Libya are looking for their first points of the round in a group where DR Congo and Tunisia are in a two-horse race for the bid to the finals. Either side will need victory to stay in touch with the rest of the group.

Group E
Uganda - Egypt, 8 a.m. (beIN Connect 3)

Egypt look to make it three wins from three which would cement a commanding position atop Group E as they look to make the World Cup finals for the first time since 1990.

UEFA Qualifying (Europe) - Matchday 7 of 10
Nine groups in Europe of six teams each. Group winners progress to the finals. The best eight of the nine runners-up will contest four two-leg playoffs to determine the final four European berths.

Group A
Bulgaria - Sweden, 1:45 p.m. (FS2)
France - Netherlands, 1:45 p.m. (ESPN3)
Luxembourg - Belarus, 1:45 p.m. (Fox Soccer Match Pass)

Sweden with the narrow edge on France on goal difference, and the French on paper have the tougher tie today though away at Bulgaria could prove tricky for the Swedes. The Dutch are still desperate to stay in touch, currently three points behind France for the second spot.

Group B
Hungary - Latvia, 1:45 p.m. (Fox Soccer Match Pass)
Portugal - Faroe Islands, 1:45 p.m. (FS1)
Switzerland - Androrra, 1:45 p.m. (ESPN3)

Switzerland remain perfect in qualifying thus far and no reason to believe that won't continue despite the fact that last time out Andorra secured their first competitive win in 13 years against Hungary.

It's a two-horse race in this group with Portugal looking for a break to leapfrog the Swiss after falling to defeat against them on Matchday 1.

Group H
Belgium - Gibraltar, 1:45 p.m. (FS+)
Cyprus - Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1:45 p.m. (ESPN3)
Greece - Estonia, 1:45 p.m. (ESPN3)

Belgium proving the dominant force in Group H and should have a field day at home against Gibraltar, who have conceded 24 goals in six games. Greece were right in touch with Belgium for a while but three successive draws have put them four points adrift. Bosnia are a further point back at Cyprus, which is always a tricky fixture.

CONMEBOL Qualifying (South America) - Matchday 15 of 18
The best format of them all with a home-and-away, round-robin tournament. Top four teams advance to the finals. Fifth place will play a two-leg playoff against New Zealand, who will presumably win in Oceania.

Venezuela - Colombia, 4 p.m. (beIN Connect 3)
Chile - Paraguay, 5:30 p.m. (beIN)
Uruguay - Argentina, 6 p.m. (beIN Connect 3)
Brazil - Ecuador, 7:45 p.m. (beIN)
Peru - Bolivia, 9:15 p.m. (beIN Connect 3)

Brazil can secure a berth in Russia today with just a draw against Ecuador, though they'll likely qualify despite their result given the other games on tap. Big game for Argentina as they look to move into the top four at Uruguay. Peru and Paraguay still in with a prayer at fifth place, but will need to bring it big time.