The Road to Russia continues.
September 5, 2017, is going to be an important day in the CONCACAF and AFC 2017 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. It is going to be the final day for teams in the AFC to direct qualification to the 2018 FIFA World Cup. It is also going to be a day that teams in the CONCACAF could make a significant move for a place in Russia.
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Mexico | 7 | 17 |
| 2 | Costa Rica | 7 | 14 |
| 3 | United States | 7 | 8 |
| 4 | Honduras | 7 | 8 |
| 5 | Panama | 7 | 7 |
| 6 | Trinidad and Tobago | 7 | 3 |
Honduras – United States
An important game that allows these teams to move from 8 points and get closer to secure a place in the 2016 World Cup. A victory for either team will move them to 12 points and tabs on direct qualification.
Costa Rica – Mexico
Costa Rica could be joining Mexico in the World Cup with a win in this fixture. Mexico has nothing to play for in this match. This can benefit a hungry Costa Rica or be the perfect mood for Mexico to exhibit all their talents on the pitch without a pressure.
Panama – Trinidad and Tobago
A home victory over Trinidad and Tobago and a draw between Costa Rica and Mexico will bring Panama back into contention. But Panama will be required to win all their remaining two matches after that to get in position for a place in the World Cup.
AFC Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Iran (Q) | 9 | 21 |
| 2 | South Korea | 9 | 14 |
| 3 | Syria | 9 | 12 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 9 | 12 |
| 5 | China | 9 | 9 |
| 6 | Qatar | 9 | 7 |
Both Uzbekistan and Syria is in need of a victory to help them secure a spot in the World Cup from AFC Group A.
Uzbekistan – South Korea
If Uzbekistan uses home advantage in the final match to secure a victory against South Korea, they would be in an ideal spot to for a direct qualification into the 2017 FIFA World Cup.
Iran – Syria
Iran is already qualified without a loss in this round. Should that continue in this match, Uzbekistan will be the team to benefit from the results, if Uzbekistan can themselves a favor with a victory against South Korea. Should Syria manage to deliver Iran’s first defeat of the round, they will be in a position to directly qualify for the World Cup.
AFC Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | Pts |
| 1 | Japan | 9 | 20 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 9 | 16 |
| 3 | Australia | 9 | 16 |
| 4 | UAE | 9 | 13 |
| 5 | Iraq | 9 | 8 |
| 6 | Thailand | 9 | 2 |
Both Australia and Saudi Arabia are looking for that direct qualification ticket to the World Cup.
Australia – Thailand
Thailand will need to win, something they haven’t done all round. This will be the only way to stop Australia from racking up enough goal and a win to secure direct qualification to the World Cup. History says this will be a comfortable victory for Australia.
Saudi Arabia – Japan
Saudi Arabia will hope Australia fail to break down Thailand, while they use home advantage to get a win against a Japanese side that is already in the World Cup.
