Which Countries Have Qualified for World Cup Playoffs and How Many Will Go Through?

With the World Cup qualifiers ending, many continents have wrapped up their qualification process. However, while some countries have already booked their berth for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, some big names face the risk of being eliminated.

From Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal to Euro 2020 winners Italy, teams will now enter the playoffs, hoping to make it to the top out of the 12 competing.

Who qualified for Qatar World Cup?

Although some teams will play against each other during the playoffs, many major nations have already qualified. From Europe, countries like Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, and England have qualified for the tournament. In addition, Netherland, Croatia, Serbia, Denmark, and Switzerland will also travel to Qatar.

Qatar, being the host nation, receives automatic qualification.  Moreover, Brazil and Messi’s Argentina join them after their sensational performances.

Soccer Football – World Cup – South American Qualifiers – Argentina v Bolivia – El Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina – September 9, 2021 Argentina’s Lionel Messi and teammates celebrate winning Copa America with the trophy after the match Pool via REUTERS/Juan Ignacio Roncoroni

However, Cristiano Ronaldo and Federico Chiesa will compete in the playoffs to book their tickets to Qatar. In the new playoff format, 12 teams are divided into three brackets where they will play a semi-final and a final. The three winners of the group get will qualify to play in the tournament next year.

READ MORE- ‘We’ll Book Our Place’ – Italy Manager Confident of World Cup Win Despite Qualification Scares

Which teams will play in the playoffs?

Teams eying a spot in Qatar are Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Wales, Poland, Scotland, Russia, Turkey, Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Austria, and Ukraine; they will now fight it out in the playoffs. Surely, Italy and Portugal are outright favorites to qualify, while the third spot will be a tight battle between the other countries.

Soccer Football – World Cup – UEFA Qualifiers – Group A – Portugal v Serbia – Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal – November 14, 2021 Serbia’s Dusan Vlahovic and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo after Serbia won the match and qualified for the Qatar 2022 World Cup REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Apart from Europe, African nations will enter the playoffs as well. Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tunisia complete Pot 1. While Cameroon, Egypt, Ghana, Congo DR, and Mali complete Pot 2. The fixtures will be decided between the two pots as five teams from Africa will get a chance to play in the Qatar World Cup.

North American, Asian, South American, and Oceanic qualifiers are still going on as the tournament is shaping up to perfection. Who do you think will board the flight to Qatar last minute?

WATCH THIS STORY- Here’s What Happened When Kevin Hart Faced Usain Bolt in a Race

The post Which Countries Have Qualified for World Cup Playoffs and How Many Will Go Through? appeared first on EssentiallySports.