The group stages of World Cup qualifying come to an end in Europe and North and Central America, while at youth level, the Under-17 World Cup continues apace.

Here we identify five major talking points before the Blues are next in action…

France a win away

Malo Gusto has featured in three of France’s four World Cup qualifiers and will hope to help Les Bleus get over the line and reach next summer’s showpiece in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

A win against Ukraine in Paris on Thursday would guarantee progression, while a draw would almost certainly be enough because of France’s superior goal difference.

Defeat for Didier Deschamps’ side would take it to the final qualifier on Sunday, when France travel to Baku to play Azerbaijan in the same stadium we recently drew with Qarabag in.

Spain on the brink

Spain have been outstanding in this qualification campaign, with Marc Cucurella prominent at left-back.

Having triumphed in all four matches so far to nil, La Roja likely need just a win to secure qualification because of their outstanding goal difference of plus 15.

They play Georgia away and then Turkiye, their closest challengers, in Seville, although on current form it feels unlikely they will need two bites at the cherry!

Delight for the Danes?

It’s much closer in Group C, where Filip Jorgensen’s Denmark and Scotland are vying for top spot.

Both teams sit on ten points currently, although Denmark’s goal difference (+11) leaves them in control of the group over Scotland (+5), who they meet in Glasgow on Tuesday.

Before then, on Saturday, Denmark host Belarus and the Tartan Army - managed by ex-Blue Steve Clarke - travel to Greece.

If the Scots achieve a result in Athens, they know a victory over Denmark at Hampden Park three days later will leapfrog them into first position and secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. It’s all to play for!

Reggae Boyz rise again?

Jamaica, featuring Academy attacker Dujuan Richards and managed by Steve McClaren, are well placed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

The Reggae Boyz need to finish top of their four-team group to qualify automatically. Sitting one point clear of Curacao, and four ahead of Trinidad and Tobago, their fate is in their own hands.

Jamaica play Trinidad in the Port of Spain first, and then host Curacao, who will have hoped to have beaten the group’s whipping boys Bermuda. That game between Jamaica and Curacao, on Tuesday, could well be a winner-takes-all situation.

Richards made his return to the international scene last month after injury, scoring in their 4-0 victory against Bermuda.

Knockout time in the U17 World Cup

Chizaram Ezenwata and Reggie Walsh are Chelsea’s representatives in the England squad currently competing at the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar.

The Young Lions sealed their place in the knockouts after finishing in second spot in their group, following victories over Egypt and Haiti and a defeat in their opening game to Venezuela.

On Saturday, at 12.30pm UK time, they face South Korea for a place in the last-16. You can watch the game on ITV in the UK, or on FIFA+ around the world.