Euro 2020 champions Italy, Scotland and Wales are among the dozen teams jostling for the final three Uefa slots at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Italy’s failure to beat Northern Ireland at Windsor Park in their final match of qualifying ensured that Switzerland qualified automatically at their expense, while Portugal’s 2-1 defeat to Serbia in Lisbon, sealed by Aleksandar Mitrovic’s 90th-minute winner, condemned them to the same fate.
While Italy and Portugal were disappointed to finish as runners-up in their groups, Scotland supporters serenaded their players at Hampden Park after a 2-0 victory over group winners Denmark gave them a chance of being seeded for the play-offs.
North Macedonia, Poland, Russia and Sweden will also be in the draw after finishing second in their respective group, while Wales are guaranteed a spot by virtue of winning their Uefa Nations League group. Rob Page’s side could also finish as runners-up in their World Cup qualifying group by securing a draw against Belgium in their final matchday on Tuesday.
The 10 runners-up in the World Cup qualifying phase will be joined in the draw by the two best Nations League group winners who finished outside of the top two spots in the World Cup qualification stage for the play-offs, which are due to take place at the end of March.
England qualified automatically for the tournament after topping their group. They will be joined by fellow group winners Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland in Qatar. Brazil were the first non-European team to reach the finals after heading the South American section.
Which teams will be in the play-offs?
Seeded teams:
- Portugal
- Russia
Unseeded teams:
- Austria
- North Macedonia
TBC
- Czech Republic
- Scotland
- Sweden
- Wales
The six runners-up with the most points in World Cup qualifying will be seeded and play a one-legged semi-final at home. In groups that contained six rather than five teams, results against the country that finished bottom will be discounted.
The 12 teams will be split into three paths of four teams, with six semi-finals taking place in total. The winners of the two semi-finals per path will then play in a final to determine who qualifies for the World Cup. A separate draw will be held to determine which finalist will play at home.
How are the seeds determined?
The following criteria from the World Cup qualifying phase will be applied in order to determine the six seeded teams:
- Points tally
- Goal difference
- Goals scored
- Aaway goals scored
- Wins
- Away wins
- Disciplinary points total
- Uefa Nations League access list
When is the draw?
The draw for the play-offs will be begin at 4pm [BST] on Friday 26 November in Zurich, Switzerland.
The semi-finals will take place on Tuesday 24 March with the finals happening on Tuesday 29 March.
Which teams have qualified for the 2022 World Cup?
Hosts:
- Qatar
Europe:
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Germany
- Serbia
- Spain
- Switzerland
South America:
- Brazil
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3Hu4zN6
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