The number of confirmed teams at this year’s World Cup in Qatar will jump up considerably during the current international break with countries from Europe, Asia, Africa and North America set to qualify for the tournament.
Uefa revamped its qualification system for the World Cup with the introduction of a new play-off round that will whittle down 11 countries to a final three. Originally, a dozen were scheduled to be involved but Poland have received a bye into the final of their play-off path after Russia were disqualified, following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Originally, Fifa had stated Russia would be able to compete in the play-offs as intended, albeit under the name “Russia Football Union”, in a neutral stadium and without the country’s flag or anthem being used. However, following pressure from football associations around Europe, led by a proposed boycott by their drawn opponents Poland, Fifa stripped the 2018 World Cup hosts of their opportunity to qualify for Qatar.
There are three paths in Uefa’s play-off round with each featuring two semi-finals – one in the case of Path B following Russia’s disqualification – and then a final to determine who will head to Qatar in November.
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In Path B, Sweden and Czech Republic will face off in Stockholm to determine who progresses to the final against Poland, which will be held on Tuesday 29 March.
The only uninterrupted path in Uefa’s play-off section is Path C, with both semi-finals and the final set to proceed as planned over the next week. At least one of the previous two European Championship winners will be eliminated with Italy (Euro 2020 winners) and Portugal (Euro 2016) both in the same section. Italy will face North Macedonia in their semi-final with Portugal up against Turkey.
Uefa World Cup 2022 play-off fixtures in full
Path A
- Wales vs Austria (Thursday 24 March)
- Scotland vs Ukraine (postponed until June)
Path B
- Sweden vs Czech Republic (Thursday 24 March)
- Winner will face Poland in the final (Tuesday 29 March)
Path C
- Italy vs North Macedonia (Thursday 24 March)
- Portugal vs Turkey (Thursday 24 March)
- Portugal/Turkey vs Italy/North Macedonia (Tuesday 29 March)
i‘s predictions
Wales to progress
They might not play too much at club level these days, but Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey remain a cut above the rest for Wales and both are available for their crucial game against Austria. Their presence should just about give Rob Page’s side the edge.
Sweden to beat the Czech Republic and qualify
Sweden have an exciting talent coming through, spearheaded by Premier League duo Dejan Kulusevski and Anthony Elanga. Should they reach the final, they will be able to call upon Zlatan Ibrahimovic too, as the 40-year-old is suspended for the semi-final. Poland always have a chance with Robert Lewandowski, but as evidenced at Euro 2020, the supply into him is often lacking.
Italy to beat Portugal in epic final
The all-star final looks likely to happen with Italy overwhelming favourites to beat North Macedonia and Portugal possessing more than enough quality to dispatch Turkey. Dangerous as Portugal are on the counter-attack, Italy have greater cohesion and will be buoyed by their recent Euros triumph. Expect the Italians to just about get the job done, probably by a single goal.
When will Scotland play against Ukraine?
Scotland’s game against Ukraine has been provisionally pencilled in for a June date, although it is far from certain that the match will even go ahead.
And if it does happen, the vast majority of Ukraine’s squad are likely to be lacking any sort of match fitness or sharpness given most of them play their club football domestically. The Ukrainian Premier League has been suspended indefinitely since Russia’s invasion at the end of February.
Ukraine’s Football Association lodged a request with both Uefa and Fifa to have the game moved, a stance that was supported by their counterparts at the Scottish Football Association.
Ian Maxwell, the SFA’s chief executive said: “In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, it is the correct decision by Fifa to postpone our play-off, as requested by the Ukrainian Association of Football.
More on World Cup
Russia thrown out of World Cup play-offs, Scotland match against Ukraine postponed until June08 March, 2022
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Russia suspended from World Cup 2022 as Fifa tightens sanctions over Ukraine invasion28 February, 2022“The importance and significance of football is greatly diminished in a time of war and our thoughts are with those Ukrainian civilians affected by the conflict.”
Crunch time in Africa
All five of CAF’s allocated World Cup slots will be filled this week, with five two-legged finals featuring some of the biggest footballing countries on the continent taking place. The lowest-ranked team in each game will play at home first.
Egypt have an early opportunity to avenge January’s Africa Cup of Nations final defeat against Senegal, while Cameroon are in action against Algeria, who fell well short of expectations in that tournament.
Ghana vs Nigeria is arguably the pick of the play-off draw given the footballing rivalry that exists between the two countries. Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Mali and Tunisia are the other nations looking to book their place for the finals.
CAF World Cup 2022 play-off fixtures in full
- Egypt vs Senegal
- Cameroon vs Algeria
- Ghana vs Nigeria
- DR Congo vs Morocco
- Mali vs Tunisia
Five places up for grabs in Asia
Five of the six allocated spaces for Asia will be taken up by the end of this break. Iran and South Korea are already safely through after securing the top two spots in their qualification section and they will be joined by two of Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia. Qatar qualified automatically as hosts.
Saudi Arabia and Japan are the favourites to make it, given they are four and three points clear of third-placed Australia respectively. However, Australia could haul themselves into an automatic qualification- position if they beat Japan and Saudi Arabia in their final two games, while relying on results elsewhere to go their way.
The third-placed country from each section will enter the intercontinental play-offs which are due to happen in June. As things stand, Canada, the United States and Mexico will progress automatically from the North American section, with Panama or Costa Rica set to qualify for the intercontinental play-off.
Who has qualified for Qatar 2022?
- Qatar (hosts)
- Argentina
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Croatia
- Denmark
- England
- France
- Germany
- Iran
- The Netherlands
- Serbia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Switzerland
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