The draw for the qualification process ahead of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 took place earlier and although South America does not need to establish groups it does decide, importantly, the order of fixtures. La Albiceleste will begin with a home fixtures against Ecuador on October 5th and will follow that with a visit to Paraguay. For the 2014 World Cup, Alejandro Sabella’s side cruised through qualification as winners but with the addition of Brazil and after the recent defeat to Chile in the Copa América, the region is competitive as ever.

To give an idea of just how tough qualification will be, in rounds three, four and five, Argentina will host Brazil before trips to Colombia and Chile. Thankfully, despite the threat, one of the qualifying places from South America was not taken away and so it remains as four automatic qualifiers and the fifth-placed side going to a playoff.

There is little time before the process begins and it will be interesting to see if Gerardo Martino will make serious changes to the squad that came up short in Chile.

#Eliminatorias Está previsto que los partidos sean entre octubre de 2015 y octubre de 2017 –> http://t.co/etBRdRv3HL pic.twitter.com/klOABc7dBM

— Selección Argentina (@Argentina) July 25, 2015