More than four years after the coronation of the French team in Russia, the 22nd edition of the World Cup will be held from November 21 to December 18, 2022, in Qatar. No less than 32 nations will compete in this tournament on exceptional dates, the competition taking place in winter for the first time in history, in order to hope to lift what is considered by many to be the most prestigious trophy of this sport. While the qualifiers are gradually delivering their verdict across the world, we already know the identity of several qualified nations, such as Brazil in South America, or France, Belgium, Germany and Denmark in Europe. , while Qatar is obviously automatically qualified with its host country status.
The selections not having been able to obtain the precious sesame for the next World Cup in the Middle East will they have to fight in dams, and in particular on the Old Continent, where this perilous stage promises to be hot. Because this Tuesday evening, the 10th and last day of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup ended in Europe and the faces of the play-offs, who number 12 for 3 final tickets after having played a semi-final and then a final, are now known.
Very heavy in perspective
Held in check by Northern Ireland (0-0) and passed on the wire by Switzerland, Italy, reigning European champion, is one of the ogres of these dams, just like the Portugal of Cristiano Ronaldo, 2016 European champion, surprised by Serbia in Lisbon (1-2) on the gong. But the Nazionale and the Seleção will have to be wary because many selections, like the Poland of Robert Lewandowski, the Sweden of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or the Wales of Gareth Bale, have every intention of going to the end and playing. spoilers. Without forgetting that the other jump-offs that are the Czech Republic (attractive during Euro 2020), Scotland, Austria, Russia (quarter-finalist of its World Cup in 2018), Ukraine, as well as Turkey and North Macedonia do not intend to let it go and fight to the end in this bitter struggle.
The draw for these dams will take place on November 26 in Zurich (Switzerland) to determine the posters for this last step before reaching the World Cup. The 6 semi-finals between the 12 play-offs will take place on March 24 and 25, before the three finals between the survivors will be played on March 28 or 29. As a reminder, Italy and Portugal, seeded (status granted to the best performing teams during the qualifiers) and who will therefore receive for the semi-finals, will not be able to meet immediately. Such a scenario is however conceivable in the final. Which means that one of these European leaders could well not go to Qatar at the end of 2022.
The 12 jump-offs for the 2022 World Cup
Italy (seed)
Portugal (seed)
Wales (seed)
Sweden (seed)
Russia (seed)
Scotland (seed)
Poland
Ukraine
Turkey
Austria
Czech Republic
North Macedonia