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This is an enormous week for the nations nonetheless hoping to succeed in the World Cup finals match in Qatar. Fifteen of the 32 spots have been crammed, with 44 groups nonetheless competing for the ultimate 17 locations – and all however three of them can be settled over the approaching days.
Europe
Who has certified? Serbia, Spain, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Croatia, England, Germany.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Portugal, Turkey, Scotland, Poland, Italy, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Sweden, Austria, Wales, Czech Republic.
What’s the state of play for Uefa groups? There are 13 spots obtainable on the World Cup for Uefa groups and 10 of them have gone to the group winners. With simply three spots remaining for the 11 sides within the play-offs, at the very least one heavyweight goes to overlook out.
Portugal didn’t win both of their final two group video games – Serbia beat them of their remaining group recreation because of a last-minute purpose from Aleksandar Mitrovic – they usually have been consigned to the play-offs. To make issues worse, they’ve been drawn in the identical pathway because the Euro 2020 winners, Italy – in addition to North Macedonia and Turkey – which implies that at the very least one of many previous two European champions is not going to be in Qatar.
Russia’s disqualification means Poland have been given a bye and can play both Sweden or Czech Republic for a spot on the World Cup finals. In the meantime Wales or Austria should wait just a little longer to find their opponents as Scotland’s recreation towards Ukraine has been postponed with a brand new date but to be confirmed.
South America
Who has certified? Brazil, Argentina.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia.
What’s the state of play for Conmebol groups? All 10 groups in South America play in a single huge group, with the highest 4 qualifying for the World Cup and the fifth-placed workforce going right into a play-off towards a rustic from the Asian federation.
Brazil and Argentina have booked their locations at Qatar 2022. They sit first and second, respectively, within the South American qualifying group with no probability of dropping out of the automated spots. Nonetheless, with two rounds of video games to go within the group, there may be nonetheless loads to play for. Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Colombia and Bolivia all harbour hopes of a spot on the World Cup finals.
Ecuador are third within the group and are assured at the very least a play‑off spot. In the event that they win both of their final two group video games – towards Paraguay and Argentina – they may guide an computerized spot on the World Cup. The large match in qualifying this week is between fourth-placed Uruguay and fifth‑positioned Peru in Montevideo. One level separates the pair earlier than the penultimate spherical of video games.
Chile have reached the knockout levels in two of the previous three World Cup tournaments however could miss out on Qatar. They’re sixth within the desk and face Brazil and Uruguay of their final two group matches. Colombia sit 4 factors behind fifth-placed Peru however they’ve a extra beneficial finish to qualifying, with video games towards Bolivia and Venezuela. Bolivia should win their final two video games and hope different outcomes go their manner if they’re to safe the play-off spot.
North, Central America and Caribbean
Who has certified? Nobody but.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Canada, USA, Mexico, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador.
What’s the state of play for Concacaf groups? We’re on the third spherical of qualifying, an eight-team league from which 4 groups can attain the World Cup – the highest three within the league go on to Qatar and the fourth-placed facet performs off towards the nation that tops qualifying in Oceania.
Canada have been sensational in qualifying and are on the cusp of reaching the World Cup finals for less than the second time of their historical past, after Mexico 1986. They’re unbeaten in qualifying and are 4 factors clear on the high of the desk with three video games to play.
USA and Mexico are second and third within the desk respectively, and are properly positioned to clinch the 2 different computerized spots. They meet on the Azteca this week for what may very well be a vital recreation. With Panama 4 factors behind, neither facet will need to lose in Mexico Metropolis. El Salvador nonetheless have a slim probability of sneaking into the play-off spot, however Costa Rica are the larger menace to fourth-placed Panama.
Africa
Who has certified? Nobody but.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Egypt, Senegal, Cameroon, Algeria, Ghana, Nigeria, DR Congo, Morocco, Mali, Tunisia.
What’s the state of play for CAF groups? There are 5 spots obtainable for African sides on the World Cup and qualifying has reached the winner-takes-all stage. The ten group winners are enjoying one another in 5 two-legged ties over the subsequent week.
The 5 ties have thrown up some main battles, notably a repeat of final month’s Africa Cup of Nations remaining by which Senegal defeated Egypt. Elsewhere, it’s Cameroon v Algeria, Ghana v Nigeria, DR Congo v Morocco, and Mali v Tunisia – so some huge names will miss out on Qatar.
Asia
Who has certified? Qatar, Iran, South Korea.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Iraq.
What’s the state of play for AFC groups? Qatar have certified routinely as hosts; 4 extra groups will be a part of them, and one workforce will go right into a play-off recreation.
The lengthy qualifying marketing campaign in Asia is coming to an finish. The 12 groups left in qualifying have been divided into two teams of six, with the highest two from every group securing a spot on the World Cup and the 2 third-placed sides dealing with off for an opportunity to play the fifth-placed facet in South American qualifying.
In Group A, Iran and South Korea have sewn up their spots on the World Cup finals. With two video games to play UAE are within the driving seat to safe the play-off spot, however Lebanon and Iraq nonetheless have an opportunity of ending third.
Within the different group, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Australia are preventing it out for the 2 computerized spots on the World Cup. Australia are third within the desk however, with video games to come back towards Japan and Saudi Arabia, they’ll nonetheless qualify routinely.
Oceania
Who has certified? Nobody.
Who can nonetheless qualify? Prepare dinner Islands, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Fiji, Papua New Guinea.
What’s the state of play for OFC groups? Just one facet from Oceania can qualify for the World Cup. To take action, they not solely have to beat the opposite sides from the area but in addition win a play-off towards the fourth-placed workforce in Concacaf, a spot presently occupied by Panama.
Qualification in Oceania has been badly affected by the Covid-19 outbreak and journey restrictions, with a number of nations withdrawing. The ultimate two rounds of qualifying are being performed in Qatar, with New Zealand the workforce to beat. TheAll Whites have secured their place within the four-team remaining knockout stage with Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti, Fiji and Prepare dinner Islands nonetheless within the hunt to hitch them.
Go to WhoScored for extra statistics and evaluation
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