With Egypt and Iran set to meet in a decisive Group G clash on Friday, the Middle East and North Africa region could be on course for one of its strongest FIFA World Cup showings ever.
A record number of MENA nations qualified for the expanded 48-team tournament, with Morocco already through to the Round of 32 and Egypt, Iran, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq still in contention heading into the final round of group matches.
The expanded format has also helped keep more teams alive. Alongside the top two teams in each group, the tournament's eight best third-placed sides also progress to the knockout rounds.
Here's how each MENA nation has fared so far and what they need to qualify. Morocco: setting the regional benchmark Morocco have once again underlined their status as one of the region's strongest sides.
The Atlas Lions opened with a 1-1 draw against Brazil before defeating Scotland 1-0 and Haiti 4-2 to finish second in Group C.
Already through to the Round of 32, Morocco will now face the Netherlands as they look to build on their historic run to the semi-finals four years ago. Egypt: one foot in the knockout rounds Egypt opened with a 1-1 draw against Belgium before beating New Zealand 3-1 to record the country's first World Cup victory, leaving the Pharaohs top of Group G on four points heading into Friday's meeting with Iran.
According to Opta's supercomputer, the Pharaohs finish top of Group G in 61.2 percent of simulations.
Victory over Iran would guarantee first place, while a draw would also secure qualification.
Even defeat could still be enough to progress as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, provided Egypt avoid a heavy loss that significantly damages their goal difference. Iran: still unbeaten Iran remain unbeaten after drawing 2-2 with New Zealand and 0-0 with Belgium ahead of what is effectively a knockout match against Egypt.
According to Opta, Iran have a 24.6 percent chance of beating Egypt and finish top of Group G in 11.4 percent of simulations.
Victory would almost certainly send Iran through to the Round of 32. A draw could still leave them relying on the third-place table, while defeat would leave qualification hanging on other results. Algeria: recovery keeps hopes alive After opening with a 3-0 defeat to Argentina, Algeria revived their campaign by beating Jordan 2-1.
Victory over Austria would secure qualification automatically, while a draw would move the Desert Foxes onto four points - a total that would leave them well placed either to finish second or progress as one of the tournament's strongest third-placed sides.
A defeat would leave Algeria relying on other results. Saudi Arabia: still alive Saudi Arabia opened with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Spain.
The Green Falcons must beat Cape Verde to retain a realistic chance of progressing, either automatically or as one of the tournament's best third-placed sides.
According to Opta's supercomputer, Saudi Arabia have a 33.3 percent chance of reaching the knockout stages. Iraq: hanging by a thread Defeats to Norway (4-1) and France (3-0) left Iraq bottom of Group I without a point heading into their final match against Senegal.
Only victory will keep Iraq's hopes alive, and even that may not be enough, with the Lions of Mesopotamia likely to require favourable results elsewhere to reach the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. Jordan: historic, despite elimination Jordan made history simply by reaching their first FIFA World Cup.
However, defeats to Austria and Algeria ended any realistic hopes of progressing before their final group match against Argentina.
Qualification itself nevertheless represented another milestone for Jordanian football. Tunisia: A tournament to forget Tunisia were beaten 5-1 by Sweden, thrashed 4-0 by Japan and concluded their tournament with a 3-1 defeat to the Netherlands.
Three defeats from three matches saw the Eagles of Carthage eliminated without threatening to reach the knockout rounds. Qatar: early exit Qatar exited at the group stage after drawing 1-1 with Switzerland before suffering a 6-0 defeat to Canada and a 3-1 loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
They finished bottom of Group B and became one of the tournament's earliest eliminations.
With Morocco already safely through and Egypt in a commanding position, this has nevertheless been one of the strongest collective World Cup performances by MENA nations.
Whether Algeria, Iran or Saudi Arabia join them in the knockout rounds may depend as much on the expanded tournament's third-place qualification system as on their own final results.