ZURICH (Reuters) -The final two European champions, Italy and Portugal, may meet for a spot on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they have been drawn on Friday in the identical path for the playoffs.
The 12 groups — 10 of which completed runners-up of their teams — have been cut up into three four-team paths, every with its personal semi-finals and closing. Seeded groups have been assured a house sport within the semi-finals.
The successful workforce from every path qualifies for the World Cup in Qatar, that means Italy and Portugal can not each attain the event.
Italy, who gained the Euros earlier this 12 months, and 2016 European champions Portugal will play their semi-final video games at dwelling towards North Macedonia and Turkey, respectively.
Ought to the 2 heavyweights advance, Portugal can have dwelling benefit within the closing.
“It may have been somewhat higher, for positive.” Italy coach Roberto Mancini advised RAI2. “We’re assured and optimistic, particularly within the harder moments.
“As we might have gladly prevented them (Portugal), most likely they too would have prevented us. We must play an excellent match (towards North Macedonia), then we’ll see within the closing.”
Failure to advance can be a serious blow for four-times World Cup winners Italy, who didn’t attain the 2018 version — the primary time they missed out on qualification in 60 years.
Wales, who need to make their first World Cup in 64 years, have been drawn in the identical path as Scotland, who haven’t certified since 1998.
“We have given ourselves an excellent alternative. We have labored ever so onerous to complete second and get that dwelling draw. We have every thing to play for,” Wales supervisor Robert Web page advised the BBC.
Older Wales followers nonetheless get hypertension desirous about the 1977 World Cup qualifier with Scotland.
Performed at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium, the Scots took the lead with a penalty awarded for handball despite the fact that replays confirmed it was Scotland striker Joe Jordan who dealt with.
Scotland gained 2-0 to earn a spot on the World Cup in Argentina the next 12 months.
Eight years later, Scotland earned an important attract Cardiff to ebook a spot at Mexico ’86, however the celebrations have been reduce brief after supervisor Jock Stein suffered a heart-attack on the touchline and died within the altering rooms shortly afterwards.
The playoff semi-finals and finals will probably be performed from March 24-29.
FIFA additionally held the draw for the intercontinental playoffs the place the Asian qualifier will play a workforce from South America whereas one from the CONCACAF area faces Oceania’s qualifier.
EUROPEAN PLAYOFF DRAW (HOME SIDE FIRST)
Path A
Semi-final 1: Scotland v Ukraine
Semi-final 2: Wales v Austria
Path B
Semi-final 3: Russia v Poland
Semi-final 4: Sweden v Czech Republic
Path C
Semi-final 5: Italy v North Macedonia
Semi-final 6: Portugal v Turkey
INTERCONTINENTAL PLAYOFF DRAW
AFC workforce v CONMEBOL workforce
CONCACAF workforce v OFC workforce
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, further reporting by Simon Evans and Pete Corridor; Enhancing by Kevin Liffey and Toby Davis)
