06/09/2017 15:42, Report by Adam Higgins

The first international break of the season saw countries across the globe continue their battle to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

In total, 17 Manchester United players left the club to represent their respective nations in qualifiers and others will be hoping to play in October and November's matches as the heat is on to join hosts Russia at next summer's tournament.

With only 32 teams able to participate in the greatest football spectacle of all, ManUtd.com assesses each country featuring United stars to see who has already made it, who is close to booking a place and who is out of contention.

WHO IS ALREADY THERE?

Belgium are the only European team assured of a World Cup qualifying berth already after taking 22 points from a possible 24 available so far and are set to top Group H. Romelu Lukaku has led the way with 10 goals in qualifying to date and continued his early-season scoring form at the start of his United career during the international break by bagging four goals, hitting a hat-trick in the 9-0 hammering of Gibraltar before netting the winner in a 2-1 victory over Greece. Marouane Fellaini has played his part with some influential displays in midfield, making four starts and one substitute appearance. Such is the array of talent at former Everton boss Roberto Martinez's disposal, the pair will be hopeful of making a real impact in the finals.

WHO HAS WORK TO DO?

There are still a number of teams who have it all to do in the games that remain in the qualifying campaign, although some are very close to confirming their spot in Russia. Seven Reds could be in contention for a place in the England squad – Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Michael Carrick, Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford – as the Three Lions took a step closer to the tournament with a 4-0 win in Malta and 2-1 victory over Slovakia. The results left Gareth Southgate's men knowing victory over Slovenia at Wembley next month will guarantee a spot in the finals.

Elsewhere in Europe, Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial's France face a battle with Victor Lindelof's Sweden to finish top of Group A, with leaders Les Bleus just a point ahead of the second-placed Swedes with two games left. While the Netherlands – including United defenders Daley Blind and Tim Fosu-Mensah – are still in contention to be one of eight teams who will face a two-legged play-off, three points behind Sweden in third position, with the two teams set for a decisive clash in Amsterdam on October 10.

There's a similarly tight situation at the summit in Group G where 2010 winners Spain, who are assured of at least a play-off place, are just three points ahead of second-placed Italy, featuring Matteo Darmian, after beating the Azzurri 3-0 and thumping eight past Liechtenstein for the second time in the campaign. David De Gea has now kept five successive clean sheets for club and country while Juan Mata and Ander Herrera will be hoping to impress coach Julen Lopetegui to earn a recall to the squad next month.

In Group D, Nemanja Matic's Serbia are guaranteed at least a play-off spot but look set to finish top after a 3-0 win against Moldova and 1-0 success over Republic of Ireland. They are currently four points clear of Wales in second place and five ahead of Martin O'Neill's Ireland with games against Austria and already eliminated Georgia to come.  

Meanwhile, Argentina – including Sergio Romero and Marcos Rojo – are fighting to qualify from the South American group with the 2014 semi-finalists currently occupying the play-off position in fifth after draws against Uruguay and Venezuela during the international break. Jorge Sampaoli's side are on the same number of points as fourth-placed Peru, who they face in a vital home game next month. However, it's a tall order for Ecuador, captained by Antonio Valencia, to progress after defeats to Brazil and Peru as they lie in eighth position – four points adrift of the play-off place – with tough assignments to come against Argentina and Chile.

And, in the African section, Eric Bailly's Ivory Coast are on track to reach a fourth successive World Cup with two games left to play against Mali and Morocco but Les Elephants hold a slender one-point lead over second-placed Morocco in Group C and suffered a setback on Tuesday night following a 2-1 home defeat by Gabon.

WHO CANNOT MAKE IT?

Unfortunately, Henrikh Mkhitaryan won't be gracing the World Cup stage next year as Armenia have already been eliminated, having accumulated just six points from their eight qualifiers so far in Group E of the European section. The playmaker did get on the scoresheet in one of their two wins, netting in a 2-0 triumph over Kazakhstan in March.