SteemSports Presenter: 
SteemSports Editor/Writer: 
It is time to meet the best international football teams, which are heading to Russia next year. In the first part of the post, we will introduce you to all the teams from outside of Europe!
AFC
AUSTRALIA
The Socceroos as they are called will be making their fifth appearance at a World Cup
- Fifa Ranking: 39
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1974
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Round of 16 (2006)
- Star Player: Tim Cahill (11 goals on the way to Russia)
IRAN
The Iranians, also known as Team Melli, were the first Asian country to qualify for Russia 2018 World Cup
- Fifa Ranking: 32
- Qualification Attempt: 10
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1978
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: First Round (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014)
- Star Player: Sardar Azmoun
JAPAN
Japan who aren’t new to World Cup appearances, have made it to the Round of 16 on two occasions
- Fifa Ranking: 55
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 5
- First World Cup: 1998
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Round of 16 (2002, 2010)
- Star Player: Maya Yoshida
KOREA REPUBLIC
The Taeguk Warriors as they are also known have been ever-present at the World Cup since 1986
- Fifa Ranking: 59
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 9
- First World Cup: 1954
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: 4th place (2002)
- Star Player: Ki Sung-Yueng
SAUDI ARABIA
Saudi Arabia commonly called “The Saudis” made their debut at the World Cup at USA 1994
- Fifa Ranking: 63
- Qualification Attempt: 11
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1994
- Last World Cup: 2006
- Best Achievement: Round of 16 (1994)
- Star Player: Mohammad Al-Sahlawi
CAF
EGYPT
The Pharaohs of Egypt are making only their first world appearance since they last featured at Italy 1990
- Fifa Ranking: 31
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 2
- First World Cup: 1934
- Last World Cup: 1990
- Best Achievement: First Round (1934, 1990)
- Star Player: Mohmed Salah
MOROCCO
The Atlas Lions as they are known were group toppers of African zone Group C during qualification
- Fifa Ranking: 40
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1970
- Last World Cup: 1998
- Best Achievement: Round of 16 (1986)
- Star Player: Medhi Benatia
NIGERIA
“The Super Eagles” of Nigeria have only missed one tournament since making their debut at USA 1994 and would be hoping to get to the latter stages of next year’s event.
- Fifa Ranking: 50
- Qualification Attempt: 13
- Successful Qualifications: 5
- First World Cup: 1994
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Round of 16 (1994, 1998, 2014)
- Star Player: John Obi Mikel
SENEGAL
The Teranga Lions as they are known reached the quarter-finals in their debut at Korea/Japan 2002
- Fifa Ranking: 23
- Qualification Attempt: 12
- Successful Qualifications: 1
- First World Cup: 2002
- Last World Cup: 2002
- Best Achievement: Quarter-finals (2002)
- Star Player: Sadio Mane
TUNISIA
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia became the first African team to win a World Cup match at Argentina 1978
- Fifa Ranking: 27
- Qualification Attempt: 14
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1978
- Last World Cup: 2006
- Best Achievement: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006)
- Star Player: Youssef Msakni
CONCACAF
COSTA RICA
Los Ticos were impressive at Brazil 2014 World Cup when they made it to the quarter-finals
- Fifa Ranking: 26
- Qualification Attempt: 16
- Successful Qualifications: 4
- First World Cup: 1990
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Quarter-finals (2014)
- Star Player: Bryan Ruiz
MEXICO
The Mexicans only lost once during qualifying for Russia 2018
- Fifa Ranking: 16
- Qualification Attempt: 15
- Successful Qualifications: 15
- First World Cup: 1930
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Quarter-finals (1970, 1986)
- Star Player: Javier Hernandez
PANAMA
The Central American nation is making their World Cup debut in Russia 2018
- Fifa Ranking: 56
- Qualification Attempt: 11
- Successful Qualifications: 0
- First World Cup: 2018
- Last World Cup: -
- Best Achievement: -
- Star Player: Blas Perez
CONMEBOL
ARGENTINA
The two-time champions featuring a super ensemble of generational talents appeared at the inaugural edition of the World Cup at Uruguay 1930
- Fifa Ranking: 4
- Qualification Campaign: 13
- Appearances: 16
- First World Cup: 1930
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Champion (1978, 1986)
- Star Player: Lionel Messi
BRAZIL
A Seleção were the first country to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after hosts Russia
- Fifa Ranking: 2
- Qualification Campaign: 12
- Appearances: 20
- First World Cup: 1930
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Champion (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002)
- Star Player: Neymar
COLOMBIA
Jose Pekerman who is in charge of Los Cafeteros was in charge of his native country, Argentina, at Germany 2006 World Cup
- Fifa Ranking: 13
- Qualification Campaign: 16
- Appearances: 5
- First World Cup: 1962
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Quarter-finals (2014)
- Star Player: James Rodriguez
PERU
The Peruvians are making a return to the world cup finals for the first time in 36 years
- Fifa Ranking: 11
- Qualification Campaign: 17
- Appearances: 4
- First World Cup: 1930
- Last World Cup: 1982
- Best Achievement: Quarter-finals (1970, 1978)
- Star Player: Jefferson Farfan
URUGUAY
La Celeste hosted and emerged world champions as hosts of the World Cup in 1930 and at Brazil 1950
- Fifa Ranking: 21
- Qualification Campaign: 16
- Appearances: 12
- First World Cup: 1930
- Last World Cup: 2014
- Best Achievement: Champion (1930, 1950)
- Star Player: Luis Suarez
