2018 FIFA World Cup third placed in 2014 the Netherlands (for the first time since 2002), and four reigning continental champions: 2017 Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon, two-time Copa América champions and 2017 Confederations Cup runners-up Chile, 2016 OFC Nations Cup winners New Zealand, and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup champions United States (for the first time since 1986). The other notable qualifying streaks broken were for Ghana and Ivory Coast, who had both made the previous three tournaments. "Note: Numbers in parentheses indicate positions in the FIFA World Rankings at the time of the tournament." The draw was held on 1 December 2017
1982 FIFA World Cup Group A 1982 FIFA World Cup Group A Group A was one of four groups of national teams competing in the second stage of the 1982 FIFA World Cup. The group's three matches were staged at the Nou Camp in Barcelona. The group consisted of three teams advancing from the first group stage: Group 1 winners Poland, Group 3 winners Belgium and Group 6 runners-up the Soviet Union. Poland topped the group and advanced to the semi-finals, where they were defeated by eventual champions Italy. The winners of Group 1 and 3 and the runner-up of Group 6 qualified for Group A