2022 World Cup Qatar

So far, 12 teams are now confirmed in the finals in Qatar next year.

The first round of qualifying has now finished in the European section. All the group winners advance. These are Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland.

They are joined by Brazil who are guaranteed to finish as one of the top four automatic qualified teams in the South American section.

The remaining European teams who now move to the second round play-offs are the group runners-up and the two best group winners from last season's Nations League.

The top six ranked runners up will be seeded and get home advantage in the play-offs. These are Italy, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Sweden and Wales.

They'll be paired with the other six (unseeded) teams - the other four runners up and the best two teams from the Nations League who finished outside the top two. These are Austria, Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Poland, Turkey and Ukraine (although for political reasons Russia and Ukraine can't be paired together).

The draw for the play-offs will be made on 26th November and the matches will be played at the end of March.

Currently the Asian section is in the third round of four, while the African and North American sections are in the final rounds.

(13-10-2021 08:40 )Regenerated Wrote:  All's not yet lost -

I might think Gareth South-git is the wrong man in the job, but England did pretty well in the Nations League thing before Euro 2020, and then the final there... arguably England have never been as consistently successful, and Kane is closing on Rooney's all-time-goals record.

Don't panic...

Argentina have qualified now aswell after a 0-0 draw at home to Brazil and Chile lost 0-2 against Ecuador.

So Playoff draw for the World Cup has been made.
It is Wales/Austria v Scotland/Ukraine
Russia/Poland v Sweden/Czech Republic's
Portugal/Turkey v Italy/North Macedonia

So one of the big boys will be going out if Italy and Portugal reach the final , so i guess in some way the nation's league format has made a difference as the big boys probably wouldn't be meeting each other but i still don't like the idea of it myself.

Wouldn't it be disastrous if Italy don't qualify after thinking they are back after winning the Euro and being on a long undefeated streak only to not qualify for the World Cup.

Or on the other side of the coin Portugal didn't qualify then Ronaldo won't get to play in his final World Cup.

^which would you prefer?

So when Southgate names his final squad for Qatar, are we expecting him to keep faith with much of the nucleus of the WC Qualifying squad to remain in place or is he likely to stick his neck ouit and go for a completelu new look squad?

(22-03-2022 04:49 )lovebabes56 Wrote:  So when Southgate names his final squad for Qatar, are we expecting him to keep faith with much of the nucleus of the WC Qualifying squad to remain in place or is he likely to stick his neck ouit and go for a completelu new look squad?

2 or 3 newbies

(22-03-2022 04:49 )lovebabes56 Wrote:  or is he likely to stick his neck ouit and go for a completelu new look squad?

Again, I'm hardly a fan of his but why the hell would he want a completely new look squad, from a side which only lost a final on penalties?! Some new faces, sure, that's evolution - but not an entire squad full!

Gutted about Italy’s exit

I’m gonna struggle to muster any neutral support for North Macedonia. Or for Portugal, for that matter.