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
2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group B the play-offs. The match schedule was determined at a meeting in Prague, Czech Republic, on 28 November 2011. There were 80 goals in 30 games for an average of 2.67 goals per game. 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group B The 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification UEFA Group B was a UEFA qualifying group for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The group comprised Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta. The group winners, Italy, qualified directly for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Denmark finished runners-up, but were ranked as the poorest of the nine group runners-up and