5 countries that can field two strong teams and have both qualify for the 2018 World Cup

32 countries qualify for the FIFA World Cup every four years. Apart from the usual suspects, we do see fairy tale runs from the smaller nations in the qualifiers culminating in qualification and the fulfilling of dreams.

However, it's clear that the pool of top quality players is unevenly spread around the world with the higher-ranked nations hoarding a number of quality players that fail to make the final squad.

So what if these countries with ample talent formed a 'B' team? Would that squad qualify? We look at five countries that could see two squads qualify given the chance.

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1) Germany

The FIFA World Cup champions' journey to the top was no mistake. It was a well-planned approach that took 14 years before it came to fruition.

After an embarrassing exit in Euro 2000 (without winning a single game), Germany took the decision to overhaul their youth system to produce a new crop of players that would challenge for international honours.

They came close on a couple of occasions, finishing third in 2006 (at home) and in 2010 (in South Africa) before the core finally came together to win the cup in Brazil. They then proved their worth by taking it a step further in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Coach Joachim Low rested the entire senior squad and took a second-string side to Russia that eventually beat two-time Copa America champions Chile in the final - a phenomenal achievement.

First team: Manuel Neuer; Joshua Kimmich, Mats Hummels, Jerome Boateng, Jonas Hector; Sami Khedira, Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil; Thomas Muller, Marco Reus, Mario Gomez

Second team: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen; Benjamin Henrichs, Antonio Rudiger, Shkodran Mustafi, Marcel Schmelzer; Ilkay Gundogan, Julian Weigl, Mario Gotze; Julian Draxler, Leroy Sane, Timo Werner

Substitutes: Kevin Trapp, Jeremy Toljan, Benedikt Howedes, Niklas Sule, Marvin Plattenhardt, Mahmoud Dahoud, Emre Can, Leon Goretzka, Julian Brandt, Andre Schurrle, Lars Stindl, Sandro Wagner

2) France

France have youth and experience in abundance

When France hosted Euro 2016, they looked like sure-shot contenders for the title. A promising squad of players were slowly coming together with Didier Deschamps managing a rich mix of experience and youth talent.

They came very close and were the clear favourites in the final after dispatching Germany 2-0 in the semi-final. But Portugal foiled their plans and reigned supreme at the Stade de France to deny Les Bleus their first international trophy since Euro 2000.

Nevertheless, they are on course to dominate world football yet again and Deschmaps has a major headache when he selects his squad for the 2018 World Cup. In some positions, Deschamps has at least three top quality players to choose from - especially in attack.

Karim Benzema has been struggling for form and was even dropped from the team for non-footballing reasons but he would still struggle to get into this lineup.

Arsenal's record signing Alexandre Lacazette would also find it difficult with the presence of Griezmann and Giroud who have established themselves as key players for France.

First team: Hugo Lloris; Djibril Sidibe, Raphael Varane, Laurent Koscielny, Benjamin Mendy; Tiemoue Bakayoko, N'Golo Kante, Paul Pogba; Kylian Mbappe, Anthony Martial, Antoine Griezmann

Second team: Alphonse Areola; Sebastien Corchia, Aymeric Laporte, Samuel Umtiti, Layvin Kurzawa; Steven N'Zonzi, Blaise Matuidi, Dmitri Payet; Thomas Lemar, Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud

Substitutes: Steve Mandanda, Youssouf Sabaly, Kurt Zouma, Mamadou Sakho, Lucas Digne, Francis Coquelin, Nabil Fekir, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Corentin Tolisso, Karim Benzema, Alexandre Lacazette

3) Spain

Good luck to all players trying to break into the Spain squad

Gone are the glory days of Spanish dominance when they won back-to-back Euros and a World Cup between 2008 and 2012. They were humbled in the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016 saw a brief resurgence that was effectively quashed by Antonio Conte's Italy.

Vicente del Bosque is long gone and Julen Lopetegui has taken charge. The 51-year-old manager is yet to lose a game with La Furia Roja and he also has a tough task in selecting the final squad for the World Cup.

Spain's biggest strength is their midfield and as a result a number of top quality players will not be booking their tickets to Russia. Players such as Juan Mata and Cesc Fabregas have the rest of the season to convince Lopetegui that they deserve a call-up with immense competition for places.

First team: David De Gea; Dani Carvajal, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Jordi Alba; Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta; Isco, David Silva, Alvaro Morata

Second team: Sergio Rico; Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez, Inigo Martinez, Sergio Escudero; Asier Illarramendi, Saul Niguez, Ander Herrera; Pedro, Marco Asensio, Diego Costa

Substitutes: Pepe Reina, Hector Bellerin, Jesus Vallejo, Nacho, Theo Hernandez, Nacho Monreal, Marcos Llorente, Koke, Sergi Roberto, Cesc Fabregas, Dani Ceballos, Juan Mata, Gerard Deulofeu, Paco Alcacer, Iago Aspas

4) Brazil

No place for anyone else in the Brazil front line

The Selecao were in turmoil following their humiliating 7-1 defeat on home soil to Germany in the World Cup semi-finals. Although they did make up for it with a gold in the Rio Olympics, Neymar stepped down as captain while Dunga was sacked.

However, new coach Tite has brought some semblance of order back in the squad. The only thing missing is a permanent captain as he rotates the captaincy from game to game.

Brazil were the first team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup after they topped the CONMEBOL standings. And Tite has an abundance of talent to choose from when he names his final squad.

There is so much competition for places that players such as Alex Sandro have no place in the first or second team.

First team: Ederson; Dani Alves, Marquinhos, David Luiz, Marcelo; Casemiro, Paulinho, Renato Augusto; Philippe Coutinho, Neymar, Gabriel Jesus

Second team: Alisson Becker; Mariano, Thiago Silva, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Fernandinho, Fabinho, Diego Ribas; Willian, Douglas Costa, Roberto Firmino

Substitutes: Diego Alves, Danilo, Jemerson, Rodrigo Caio, Alex Sandro, Walace, Rafinha, Lucas Lima, Lucas Moura, Jonas, Gabriel Barbosa

5) Italy

Italy can form at least two teams who can compete

The Azzurri seem a little lost at the moment under Gian Piero Ventura who has employed a few bizarre tactics. Antonio Conte's departure was mourned by the Italian faithful after he took a very mediocre team to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals, losing to Germany on penalties.

Italy have not exactly convinced since and their recent 3-0 loss to Spain suggests Ventura has a lot of work to do. But it is not like he doesn't have the personnel required to compete at the World Cup.

They do have a strong XI if they employ the correct formation. Ventura has so far employed a back-four instead of Conte's back-three. It gives him width but not enough control in midfield.

Nevertheless, they have more than enough players to form at least two strong teams.

First team: Gianluigi Buffon; Florenzi, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Mattia De Sciglio; Claudio Marchisio, Marco Verratti, Antonio Candreva, Lorenzo Insigne; Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti

Second team: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Matteo Darmain, Daniele Rugani, Alessio Romagnoli, Leonardo Spinazzola; Daniele De Rossi, Marco Parolo; Federico Bernardeschi, Giacomo Bonaventura; Manolo Gabbiadini, Mario Balotelli

Substitutes: Mattia Perin, Ignazio Abate, Andrea Barzagli, Davide Astori, Mattia Caldara, Davide Calabria, Adam Masina, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Franco Vazquez, Domenico Berardi, Stephan El Shaarawy, Eder