THE RACE TO JOIN ARGENTINA

The World Cup holders have almost secured their spot in North America, but who will join them?

- Tim Vickery

South America's World Cup qualification moves into its final third at the end of March and, with six teams qualifying (plus a seventh going into a play-off), this is the moment when the first places in next year's tournament will be filled.

Leaders Argentina, for example, already have 25 points. In all of the previous campaigns, the side finishing sixth had between 23 and 27. It could be, then, that the defending world champions already have enough points in the bag. They might need one more win to make absolutely sure - but it probably will not come easily in March, as Lionel Scaloni's side travel to Uruguay before hosting Brazil. These are tough fixtures, and they could shed some light on a question that has been worrying some in Argentina: with two Copa America wins either side of that triumph in Qatar, this has been a wonderful cycle for the side, but have they now passed their peak? Angel Di Maria, who retired after last year's Copa, will be extremely difficult to replace. It looks increasingly probable that Lionel Messi will stick around for one last World Cup, but he will turn 39 during the competition - can he still tip the balance? It is worth remembering that Argentina will be attempting something that has never been done before: retaining the title in a different continent.