For many teams across the globe, tonight could mark their final World Cup qualifiers of this campaign.
13 teams have already taken care of the formalities and joined Brazil for a festival of football next summer.
So where do all the teams stand ahead of tonight's matches?
UEFA
Germany's Mesut Ozil celebrates scoring the third goal against Ireland ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
We were pretty much eliminated after the defeat in Austria last month but that was confirmed against Germany on Friday. While the Germans march on to Brazil, it is Sweden who emerge from Group C into a playoff place.
Despite losing to Belgium who qualified for the first time since 2002, Croatia were already assured of a runner up spot in Group A and will go into the playoffs regardless of the result away to Scotland.
England know a win is almost-certainly required at home to Poland because Ukraine play minnows San Marino which basically means they will get three points. England are only one point ahead but on Friday they did something they had not achieved in Group H - beat a team not called Moldova or San Marino. Third-placed Montenegro, who England brushed aside by a 4 - 1 scoreline, are mathematically still in with a chance of the playoff but must hope that Ukraine lose to San Marino by about 11 or 12 goals. Good luck with that one!
Spain are virtually assured of a place at the 2014 World Cup. They may not be in outstanding form but a point at home to Georgia (who Ireland beat 4 - 0 in June) will be enough to consign Group I runners-up France to the playoffs.
Portugal are in a similar predicament to France in Group F, knowing that a point for Russia in Azerbaijan will leave them in the playoffs.
In Group E, it's a straight shoot-out for a playoff place between Iceland and Slovenia. Iceland have a one point advantage but face Nordic rivals Norway. Meanwhile, Slovenia must hope Iceland lose or draw to have any chance of qualifying. Slovenia take on already-qualified Switzerland and a win combined with a draw or defeat for Iceland would see them through to the playoffs. However if Slovenia draw with Switzerland and Iceland lose to Norway, Slovenia would still advance via goal difference.
Edin Dzeko of Bosnia
Meanwhile, it's a straight fight between Bosnia and Greece for an automatic qualification spot. Bosnia top Group G on goal difference (+17 more than Greece) and know that a win in Lithuania will see them past Greece. Greece must hope they can better Bosnia's result when they host Liechtenstein to avoid the playoff lottery.
In Group D, the Netherlands have booked their passage to Brazil but they could still play a part in deciding who gets the playoff spot. The Oranje host Turkey who are currently second. But the Turks only lead Romania on goal difference and Romania have an easier game against already-eliminated Estonia. Two points further back, Hungary could still spring a surprise if Romania and Turkey slip up. They face a winnable game against Andorra.
Denmark's Christian Eriksen
Italy's group is the most complicated with four teams vying for a playoff spot behind the Azzuri. Like the Netherlands, Italy could be decisive when it comes to selecting the team that finishes second. Currently Denmark (13 points), Bulgaria (13) and Armenia (12) can finish runner up in Group B. A win for Bulgaria at home to Czech Republic would virtually secure second. But if they drop points and Denmark beat Malta as expected, then the Danes will be second. Czech Republic are in a strange position. They can still finish second but cannot qualify for the playoffs regardless of their result.
Whichever team finishes second could still miss out on the playoffs as only eight of nine group runners up advance to that stage of qualification. As some groups only have five teams rather than six, results against the bottom-placed team in each group is not counted.
And as it stands, Group B is the runt of the litter. However, a win for Bulgaria could be enough to pip Group D's Turkey and Romania. Denmark could also make it mathematically.
