The clock is running out of sand and the first tickets are already being distributed to play the next World Cup in Qatar. In fact, there are several teams that have it assured at this point, while the bulk of the non-European places will be known in the coming months. At that time the repechage of the Old Continent will also be played. The objective is clear: first, be in the Persian Gulf to accompany the host, Qatar, on November 21, 2022; then lift the Cup on December 18. Only 32 teams will meetLet’s take a look at those that can already breathe easy.
Europe
Europe is the continent that contributes the most countries to the tournament, 13, and they are distributed in the following way: ten obtain the direct pass to be first of their respective groups. The ten seconds, together with the two best classified in the last Nations League that France raised against Spain, will play a play-off in which only three teams will reach the shore. These are the ones that already have the ticket insured after the conclusion of the initial phase:
- Germany
- Denmark
- Belgium
- France
- Croatia
- Spain
- Serbia
- England
- Switzerland
- Netherlands
The play-off will feature twelve seconds from the World Cup qualification and also two from the Nations League. Pot 1 corresponds to the six best seconds, which are Scotland, Italy, Russia, Wales, Sweden and Portugal. In Pot 2 they stay Turkey, Poland, North Macedonia, Ukraine and by League of Nations Austria and Czech Republic. The clashes will be drawn on November 26.
South America
The South American qualifiers distribute four and a half places. A unique group of ten teams with a common goal, to be in the top four. The fifth will play his last bullet against the representative of three other confederations. Brazil and its immaculate baggage already have the pass secured, Argentina is ready, but there are several regulars in danger: Colombia is fifth, Uruguay sixth, Peru is seventh … Thus, the momentary list only has one member:
Asia and Oceania
The Asian Football Confederation has an extra position to add to the 4.5 that are distributed by the merits of the qualifying phase, which corresponds to Qatar as host. Those of Félix Sánchez are not having an excessively flattering round of friendlies, but there is still time. Who will accompany them? Nothing is resolved yet. Japan, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iran or South Korea distribute the largest number of ballots. The fifth in question will beat the copper in the repechage. In Oceania, not counting the aussies (since 2006 they play in the AFC), they play half a place to take part in the aforementioned repechage. Classified:
Africa
On the African continent, the qualifiers will not be known until March, when the third and final final round will be played. Before, they will have to play the Africa Cup (between January 9 and February 6). For this reason, there is still no selection with any of the five tickets that FIFA has destined for Africa in its pocket. Ten groups of four teams each. Only the first one goes to the final cut and, in March, five roundtrip heats will decide the fate.
The ten qualified for the Playoff are Algeria, Tunisia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, Morocco and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are seeded Algeria, Senegal, Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia.
Concacaf
Concacaf has two great teams that, although they still do not have the mathematical ticket, everything indicates that they will achieve it: the United States and Mexico. It is, by chance, the confederation with a more placid ranking. Distribute three and a half seats (the fourth goes to play-off) for the eight teams that entered the final round: United States, Mexico, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica, Jamaica, El Salvador and Honduras. At the moment, there is no safe place, but the first three command the classification.