Football

2022 World Cup European play-offs: All you need to know

2 years ago

| BY News Team

The play-off draws have been made and 12 European sides know the opponents that stand between them and securing one of the remaining three 2022 World Cup qualifying spots.

We’ve put together a guide on all you need to know about the upcoming play-offs.

Who’s involved in the 2022 World Cup European play-offs?

The 10 teams that finished as the runner-up in their Group qualifying are joined by the two best group winners from the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League.

Both Scotland and Wales finished second in Group qualifying and take their place in the play-offs with a chance of making the World Cup.

Joining them are 10 other nations: Austria, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Portugal, Turkey, Italy and North Macedonia.

How do the play-offs work?

The 12 teams are split into three pathways of four teams.

Teams face an initial semi-final played over one leg. The two winners of their semi-finals then play each other in a final to decide who will be going to the World Cup.

Scotland and Wales have both been drawn in Pathway A, meaning if they win their respective semi-finals they will meet in the final.

When are the play-off taking place?

The play-off are scheduled to take place from March 24th – 29th.

All semi-finals take place on Thursday March 24th, with all but Russia v Poland (17:00) being a 19:45 kick-off. The three finals will then be held on Tuesday March 29th.

Semi-final draw in full

Path A

Scotland v Ukraine

Wales v Austria

Path B

Russia v Poland

Sweden v Czech Republic

Path C

Italy v North Macedonia

Portugal v Turkey

What are the latest play-off betting odds?

With both Scotland and Wales being drawn in Pathway A it means only one can make it to Qatar, and by winning their first matches they could set up a huge Home Nations clash in the play-off final.

Both nations have endured a significant hiatus from the World Cup and they will be giving everything to qualify for Qatar. Wales have only qualified for one World Cup, when they reached the quarter-final in 1958, while Scotland have competed more recently, having featured in 1998.

Wales are currently 9/4 to secure their first World Cup in 64 years. The Dragons are second favourites to qualify from their pathway, behind favourites Austria at 15/8. Scotland are 10/3 outsiders along with their semi-final opponents Ukraine.

Pathway B looks an equally competitive group of teams, with Sweden and Russia joint favourites to qualify at 15/8. Poland are an 11/4 chance, while the Czech Republic are 11/2 outsiders.

Pathway C promises to potentially provide another huge final clash between Portugal and Italy. Both sides are an even money chance to qualify and should have little difficulty in defeating their semi-final opponents, Turkey (10/1 to qualify) and North Macedonia (33/1).