With a year to go before Qatar's 2022 World Cup kicks off, some nations have booked their place while others have yet to wait.
A dramatic final day of European qualifying came to an end on Tuesday. Reigning world champions France and Gareth Southgate's England are among those who have secured their place.
The playoffs in March, however, will feature some big names. There's plenty still yet to be decided around the rest of the world, with 13 of the 32 spots now taken.
Who Has Secured Their Place at the 2022 World Cup?
Belgium | Croatia | Denmark | England |
France | Germany | Netherlands | Serbia |
Spain | Switzerland | Brazil | Argentina |
Qatar (hosts) | | | |
Who Has Qualified From Europe?
European runners-up England have qualified for the 2022 World Cup as one of 10 group winners. On Friday, England secured first place with a 10-0 win over San Marino in their final Group I match.
Also on their way to the World Cup are France, the 2018 winners, and Belgium, Denmark and Germany, who also safely got through their groups.
It was not all straightforward for Europe's heavyweights - though.
The final round saw some important decisions at the top of the table, with Serbia scoring the winning goal in the 90th minute to relegate Portugal to first place, and both Spain and Croatia scoring in the closing stages to beat their respective pursuers Sweden and Russia.
In a thrilling final qualifier, Switzerland took advantage of Italy's draw with Northern Ireland to secure victory in Group C on Monday. At the same time, the Netherlands emerged victorious from a hard-fought Group G on Tuesday.
Who Takes Part in the Playoffs, When Do They Take Place, and How Do They Work?
In addition to the 10 group winners in Qatar, three other European nations will be represented by the ten runners-up and two Nations League teams in the playoffs.
Wales and Scotland have to go that way, but some surprising names will join them.
Scotland secured home rights among the six seeds for the playoffs in March with their stunning win over Denmark, while Wales earned a valuable draw against world number one Belgium to secure home rights themselves.
European champions Italy and Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Sweden and Russia are among the playoff seeded nations alongside Scotland and Wales.
European Play-Offs
Seeded Nations: | Unseeded Nations: |
Portugal | Turkey |
Scotland | Poland |
Italy | North Macedonia |
Russia | Ukraine |
Sweden | Austria |
Wales | Czech Republic |
They could face Poland, who are six points behind Euro 2020 finalists England and Northern Macedonia, Turkey and Ukraine, who all finished runners-up, plus the Czech Republic and Austria, who have progressed through the Nations League.
The playoffs will begin with six semi-final matches, with first and second legs, between 24 and 25 March 2022.
The six semi-finals will be split three ways leading to three playoff finals, also decided by a single match. These will take place between March 28 and 29.
Who Has Qualified From the Rest of the World?
Brazil is the first South American nation to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. After a 1-0 win over Colombia on Friday, there are six qualifiers left to play.
Copa America winner Argentina also qualified after a goalless draw with Brazil at home and other results on Tuesday.
Ecuador, meanwhile, is six points clear of Colombia and Peru, who can secure qualification with a top-four finish.
Canada, the United States and Mexico occupy the top three automatic qualifying spots in the race to see which North American, Central American and Caribbean nations will be in Qatar.
Canada moved into the top spot after a 2-1 win over Mexico on Tuesday, while the U.S. drew 1-1 with Jamaica and Panama's 2-1 win over El Salvador tied Mexico on 14 points and relegated to the playoff spot between the confederations only on goal difference.
In Asia, where qualifying resumes in January, Saudi Arabia tops a difficult Group B that includes Japan in second and Australia in third, with 16 points from a possible 18.
In Group A, the top two have a significant lead over Iran, dropped just two points, and South Korea. Meanwhile, Qatar, as hosts, are automatically qualified.
Finally, in Africa, the five qualifying places will be decided in five round-robin playoff matches in March.
Egypt, with Mohamed Salah, is one of the participating teams, as are Algeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia.
More Great Dubai Route Stories
Chinese Scientists 'Strike Gold' In a Nuclear Fusion Breakthrough
Should You Pack Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card for Your Next Trip?
Saudi Arabia to Grant Citizenship to "Several Distinguished People With Rare Expertise
Will Smith, 53, Climbs Burj Khalifa in Dubai In His New YouTube Series
Infobip Rolls Out Stock Options to All Employees Worldwide
Cyprus Approves 390 Extra Golden Passports
Stay Ahead of the Curve
Unlock the GCC's Leading Source of Business and Analysis
Dubairoute.com provides innovative marketing and advertising solutions to support an advertiser's specific campaign objectives. Customised programs leverage the best of Dubairoute.com. Contact our sales team today and see what our team can do for your custom advertising solutions. Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to our sales team. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Disclaimer
Global Business, Financial News, Market Data, and Analysis published here are delayed 24 hours. All the published information, analyses, and conclusions are based (unless sourced otherwise) on external information and Dubai Route Group's experts' judgment. They are intended as guides only and should not be construed as definitive forecasts or guarantees of future performance or results. No responsibility or liability is accepted by any person, including Dubai Route Group or its affiliates and their respective officers, employees, or agents, for any errors or omissions.
For all the latest lifestyle news from the UAE and Gulf countries, follow us on Twitter and Linkedin, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram, which is updated daily.
Comentarios