The selection break promises to be more exciting than ever. Two days with ten qualifying places at stake plus another ten for the play-off. Sometimes it is taken for granted that all the great teams are going to be in the World Cup, but this is not always the case. Let them tell Spain, which is in the eye of the hurricane, although it already rains less after winning Greece. Whatever happens on the final matchday against Sweden, he will have another chance. Group by group, this can happen in the penultimate and on the last day of the qualifying round:
Group B: what does Spain have to do to qualify? (missing a day)
What can happen on matchday six?
Sweden or Spain will be in the World Cup. Whoever is defeated will go to the Repechage.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes: Georgia, Kosovo and Greece.
What has to happen for Spain to get into the World Cup?
Spain will be in the World Cup if they win their match against Sweden. Also if it ties.
Current ranking *
Sweden 16, Spain 15, Greece 9, Georgia 4 and Kosovo 4.
* Georgia has already played all their games.
If Spain wins or draws Sweden …
-It will be first.
If Spain loses to Sweden …
-He will be in the playoffs as second in the group. It remains to be seen if she is one of the top six, which would give her a field advantage in the semifinals.
The calendar
Last day:
-Spain-Sweden (11/14 at 8:45 p.m.).
Group A (one match left)
What can happen on the last day?
Portugal or Serbia will get into the World Cup. The defeated will go to the Repechage.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Luxembourg, Ireland and Azerbaijan no longer have options.
What are the key parties?
Portugal-Serbia (11/14).
What has to happen for Portugal to get into the World Cup?
Portugal gets in if they win or draw with Serbia. The tie is worth it because it has a better overall goal average.
Current ranking *
Serbia 17, Portugal 17, Luxembourg 9, Ireland 6, Azerbaijan 1.
* Azerbaijan has already played all their matches.
Group C
What can happen on the fifth day?
Nothing, since the main tiebreaker criterion is the general goal average and not the individual match. Still, Italy could virtually qualify with a win against Switzerland.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No, nor can it be on the fifth day.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes, neither Bulgaria, nor Northern Ireland nor Lithuania are even eligible for the play-offs.
What are the key parties?
Italy-Switzerland (11/12), Northern Ireland-Italy (11/15) and Switzerland-Bulgaria (11/15).
What has to happen for Italy to get into the World Cup?
He has to score more points than Switzerland in the two remaining days. In the event that both add the same, it would be necessary to throw the general goal average and, at this moment, it is so tight that it becomes unpredictable. Italy has scored 12 goals and conceded 1 (+11). Switzerland has scored 10 and only received 1 (+9).
For example, it may be that Italy and Switzerland draw on matchday five and that on matchday six everything is decided based on who beats the opponent the most. Both are guaranteed the repechage in case of failure.
Current ranking *
Italy 14 (6), Switzerland 14 (6), Bulgaria 8 (7), Northern Ireland 5 (6), Lithuania 3 (7).
* In parentheses, number of games played out of a total of eight days to be played per team.
Group D
What can happen on the fifth day?
France will mathematically get into the World Cup if they win.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No, although France could be after the day.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Kazakhstan is not eligible for anything. The others can enter as leaders or in the repechage.
What are the key parties?
Bosnia-Finland (3/11), France-Kazakhstan (13/11), Bosnia-Ukraine (16/11) and Finland-France (16/11)
What has to happen for France to get into the World Cup?
Win one of the two remaining games. Against Kazakhstan, bottom of the group, it would be enough. You can also get in if you tie the two, as it would hurt Finland’s score. He will always depend on himself on the last date. If it falls on the fifth day, it would not be inside in any of the cases.
Current ranking *
France 12 (6), Ukraine 9 (7), Finland 8 (6), Bosnia 7 (6), Kazakhstan 7 (3).
* In parentheses, number of games played out of a total of eight days to be played per team.
Group E
What can happen on the fifth day?
Belgium will get into the World Cup if they win. He will also do so if he scores and Wales does not win.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No, although Belgium is guaranteed the play-off.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Estonia and Belarus. The Czech Republic is only eligible for the repechage.
What are the key parties?
Belgium-Estonia (11/13), Wales-Belarus (11/13) and Wales-Belgium (11/16).
What has to happen for Belgium to get into the World Cup?
It takes five points to Wales with two days left. It is worth it if Wales does not win their two games. Or, without looking at anyone, with winning one of their own. The confrontation on the last day could complicate Roberto Martínez’s team if they did not win over Estonia. Even so, his next rival already suffered a win at home.
Current ranking *
Belgium 16 (6), Czech Republic 11 (7), Wales 11 (6), Estonia 6 (4), Belarus 3 (7).
* In parentheses, number of games played out of a total of eight days to be played per team.
Group F
What can happen on the fifth day?
Scotland can guarantee the play-off if they beat Moldova. Also if it ties and Israel does not win. Or if it loses and Israel loses.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
Yes. Denmark is already in the World Cup, without conceding a single goal.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Moldova, the Faroe Islands and Austria do not aspire to anything. Scotland and Israel only to the play-offs.
What are the key parties?
Moldova-Scotland (11/12), Austria-Israel (11/12), Israel-Faroe Islands (11/15) and Scotland-Denmark (11/15).
What has to happen for Denmark to get into the World Cup?
The pass is already guaranteed after adding full of triumphs.
Current ranking *
Denmark 24, Scotland 17, Israel 13, Austria 10, Faroe Islands 4, Moldova 1.
* In this group, everyone has played eight games out of the ten totals.
Group G
What can happen on the fifth day?
The Netherlands will be World Cup if they win and Norway does not.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No. It may be the Netherlands at the end of the day.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Gibraltar and Latvia are not eligible for anything. Montenegro only to the play-off, although it would need a miracle, with goals included.
What are the key parties?
Norway-Latvia (11/13), Turkey-Gibraltar (11/13), Montenegro-Netherlands (11/13), Montenegro-Turkey (11/16) and Netherlands-Norway (11/16).
What has to happen for the Netherlands to get into the World Cup?
In one of the most even groups, the Netherlands will get into the World Cup if they win their match and Norway does not. In no case will the Netherlands enter drawing. If he wins and Odegaard’s team also wins, they will play it in the individual match of the last one. Turkey is on the prowl, with its more than likely victory over Gibraltar.
Current ranking *
Netherlands 19, Norway 17, Turkey 15, Montenegro 11, Latvia 5, Gibraltar 0.
* In this group, everyone has played eight games out of the ten totals.
Group H (one match left)
What can happen on the last day?
Russia or Croatia will get into the World Cup. The victim will go to the Play-off.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Slovakia, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus have no choice at all.
What are the key parties?
Croatia-Russia (11/14).
What has to happen for Croatia to get into the World Cup?
Modric and his team have it difficult, since they will only get in if they beat Russia on the last day. The draw is not worth them. Russia will get winning or with a draw.
Current ranking *
Russia 22, Croatia 20, Slovakia 11, Slovenia 11, Malta 5, Cyprus 5.
* In this group, everyone has played nine games out of ten.
Group I
What can happen on the fifth day?
England will get into the World Cup if they win and Poland doesn’t. Also if it ties and Poland loses.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
No, although England will be able to get in at the end of the day.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. They have no repechage options or San Marino, Andorra or Hungary.
What are the key parties?
Andorra-Poland (11/12), England-Albania (11/12), Albania-Andorra (11/15), Poland-Hungary (11/15) and San Marino-England (11/15).
What has to happen for England to get into the World Cup?
Get four of the six remaining points. It seems more complicated than it is, since on the last day it is a fact that the three points against San Marino have been achieved. Moreover, a sounded win against the weak selection would give the practically guaranteed pass. Why? England would have 23 points, whatever happens against Albania. Poland could only reach 23 and it would be decided by general goal average. Southgate’s are +21; the Poles, +17. And the finalist of the Eurocup has San Marino, which they already beat 5-0 …
Current ranking *
England 20, Poland 17, Albania 15, Hungary 11, Andorra 6, San Marino 0.
* In this group, everyone has played eight games out of the ten totals.
Group J (one match left)
What can happen on the last day?
Either North Macedonia or Romania or Armenia will get into the Play-off. Only one place for three teams.
Is there a mathematically classified team?
Yes: Germany is already in the World Cup.
Are there any teams eliminated?
Yes. Liechtenstein is not opting for anything, like Iceland. Armenia is virtually out.
What are the key parties?
Armenia-Germany (11/14), Liechtenstein-Romania (11/14) and North Macedonia-Iceland (11/14).
How is the Playoff?
North Macedonia gets into the Repechage if it wins. Also if Romania draws and does not win. Another option is to lose and that Romania does not get the three points.
Current ranking *
Germany 24, North Macedonia 15, Romania 14, Armenia 12, Iceland 9, Liechtenstein 1.
* In this group, everyone has played nine games out of ten.
The tiebreaker criteria
In the event of a tie on points, the first criterion for ranking one team with respect to another is the goal difference in all matches and, then, the total goals scored. Unlike other competitions, the individual confrontation is not important compared to the total performance in the group.
The criteria
-Greater goal difference in all group matches.
-More number of goals scored in all matches.
-More number of points obtained between the tied teams.
-Greater goal difference in matches between those tied.
-More number of goals scored in matches between those tied.
-More number of goals scored as a visitor in matches between those tied.
How is the playoffs and who enters?
The ten runners-up in the group and the two best classified from the Nations League who do not achieve the place by traditional classification compete for the repechage, in three mini-tournaments of the semifinals and final. The winner of each of these tournaments gets into the World Cup in Qatar. The matches will be played in March 2022. In them, the six best seconds in the group will be seeded. That is to say, the semifinals, which are a single match, will play as locals. Therefore, it is better to be second with a good score and not depend on the classification by the Nations.