The European section of qualifying reaches the end of the initial group stage, with only two of the top sides which qualify automatically decided going into the final round of back-to-back fixtures, while those finishing second will enter the play-offs for a chance to make it to Qatar 2022.

Africa is approaching the end of the second round of qualifying, where only the group winners progress to the final head-to-head matches, and two of the 10 finalists are determined with two games remaining.

In North and South America, qualifying is reaching its midway point but there is still plenty to keep an eye on, with Chelsea players involved in two big derby matches.

Below you can find out which Blues are playing where and when, as well as what they need to do to book their place at next year's World Cup over the next month...

World Cup qualifying – UEFA

Albania: Armando Broja – They must win away at England on Friday to go into their last match, at home against Andorra on Monday, with a chance of qualifying automatically.

Denmark: Andreas Christensen – The already qualified Danes round off their campaign at home against the Faroe Islands on Friday and away in Scotland on Monday.

England: Ben Chilwell, Reece James, Mason Mount – The Blues trio need four points from games at home against Albania on Friday and away at San Marino on Monday to be guaranteed a spot in the World Cup.

France: N’Golo Kante – A win at home over Kazakhstan on Saturday will secure France’s place at the World Cup, as will avoiding defeat in that match and their final game away in Finland next Tuesday.

Germany: Kai Havertz, Antonio Rudiger – The Germans have already qualified and finish their campaign at home against Lichtenstein on Thursday and away at Armenia on Sunday.

Italy: Jorginho – Assured of a top two place, Italy need to better Switzerland’s points tally from the last two games, at home against the Swiss on Friday and away to Northern Ireland on Monday, to qualify automatically as group winners.

Scotland: Billy Gilmour – A win away in Moldova on Friday will secure Scotland’s place in the play-offs, before their final match at home against already-qualified Denmark on Monday.

Spain: Cesar Azpilicueta – Spain go into the final two games trailing Sweden by two points, travelling to Greece on Thursday before a potential qualification decider at home against the Swedes on Sunday.

Wales: Ethan Ampadu – The Welsh need to win both their games at home against Belarus on Saturday and Belgium on Tuesday to have any chance of qualifying automatically.

World Cup qualifying – CONMEBOL

Brazil: Thiago Silva – Leaders Brazil continue their qualification efforts for the World Cup by hosting Colombia in Sao Paulo late on Thursday night, before travelling to fierce rivals Argentina next Tuesday.

World Cup qualifying – CAF

Ghana: Baba Rahman – Away at Ethiopia on Thursday and at home against South Africa on Sunday, needing to catch one point on the latter to reach the next round.

Morocco: Sami Tlemcani – Having already booked their place in the next stage, Morocco finish their group schedule with games away in Sudan on Friday and at home against Guinea on Tuesday.

Senegal: Edouard Mendy – Senegal have already qualified for the third round, but first end their group stage campaign by playing away at Togo on Thursday and at home with Congo on Sunday.

World Cup qualifying – CONCACAF

USA: Christian Pulisic – The United States have a chance to go top of the table when they host leaders Mexico on Friday, before travelling to Jamaica next Tuesday.

Younger age groups

England Under-21s: Conor Gallagher – European Under-21 Championship qualifier at home against the Czech Republic on Thursday before an away friendly with Georgia next Tuesday.

Finland Under-21s: Lucas Bergstrom – European Under-21 Championship qualifiers away at Norway on Friday and at home against Estonia on Monday.

England Under-20s: Henry Lawrence – Friendly match away against Portugal on Thursday.

England Under-19s: Levi Colwill, Jude Soonsup-Bell, Harvey Vale, Charlie Webster – European Under-19 Championship qualifiers against Andorra on Wednesday, Switzerland on Saturday and Sweden next Tuesday, with all three matches taking place in Stockholm.

Norway Under-19s: Bryan Fiabema – Friendlies in Spain against Slovakia on Saturday and the Czech Republic on Monday.

Sweden Under-19s: Edwin Andersson – Three home European Under-19 Championship qualifiers, against Switzerland on Wednesday, Andorra on Saturday and England on Tuesday.

England Under-18s: Lewis Hall, Brodi Hughes – Three matches in six days as part of the Pinatar Tournament in Spain see England face the Netherlands on Thursday, Belgium on Saturday and Portugal on Monday.