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
1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC) November 1985. The winner of the tournament was Australia, who qualified for the UEFA–OFC play-off against Scotland for a finals position. Australia lost, meaning that there were no OFC teams at the finals in Mexico. The winning team of the OFC qualification tournament played the UEFA Group 7 runners-up in a home-and-away play-off. The winner of this play-off qualified for the 1986 FIFA World Cup. 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification (OFC) Listed below are the dates and results for the 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for the Oceanian zone (OFC). Four teams entered the competition. Two OFC members competed: