WORLD CUP 2014: ALL THE TEAMS THAT HAVE QUALIFIED SO FAR

With World Cup 2014 one step closer after Friday’s round of qualifiers across the globe, four more nations have secured qualification to next year’s showpiece in Brazil.

The hosts had already been joined by Asian representatives Japan, Australia, Iran andSouth Korea at an earlier stage, as well as Netherlands, Italy (both Uefa), Argentina(Conmebol), Costa Rica and USA (both Concacaf) and more teams from Europe andSouth America have now wrapped up qualification, too.

Belgium booked their place in next summer’s World Cup finals after recording a good 2-1 away win over Croatia, with Romelu Lukaku netting twice to seal the deal for the Rode Duivels.

Additionally, Germany ensured qualification following a 3-0 victory over Republic of Ireland in Cologne. Sami Khedira, Andre Schurrle and Mesut Ozil all found the net for Joachim Low’s men.

Elsewhere, Switzerland became the fifth European team to qualify for next year’s tournament courtesy of a narrow 2-1 away win over Albania as Xherdan Shaqiri and Michael Lang hammered home crucial goals.

Finally, Colombia joined hosts Brazil and Argentina as the third South-American representative after an impressive comeback versus Chile. Jose Pekerman’s team were trailing by three goals at half-time, but fought back after the break as Teofilo Gutierrez and a Radamel Falcao double salvaged a 3-3 draw.