HajdukSplit
Registered User
Since the other thread was locked time to open a new one as we are in the home stretch of qualifying, up until the recent events this would have been the last window in most continents but now WCQ has been extended into June in some places
UEFA
Only the playoffs remain and we will know 2 of the 3 teams at the World Cup at the end of this window; Path A won't be decided until June as the Scotland-Ukraine match has been pushed back while Wales-Austria will go ahead; in Path B, Poland is in the final and will host the winner of Sweden/Czech Rep; in Path C we have Italy/North Macedonia and Portugal/Turkey. All matches this window will be played on March 24 with the finals being on March 29
CONMEBOL
Two rounds remain plus the rather meaningless makeup game between Brazil-Argentina which doesn't even have a date yet; Brazil and Argentina have qualified with Ecuador in decent shape to get a direct spot. Uruguay/Peru/Chile/Colombia fighting for the final 1.5 spots (5th place in CONMEBOL gets a playoff with AFC). Uruguay host Peru on the 25th which is a massive match and will pretty much decide the last automatic qualifier I feel. On paper, Chile have the hardest task playing both Brazil and Uruguay this window while Colombia have two winnable games but need results to go their way
CAF
Pretty simple format, five playoff matchups to determine who goes to the World Cup; matches to be played on March 25 & 29
Egypt vs. Senegal
Cameroon vs. Algeria
Ghana vs. Nigeria
DR Congo vs. Morocco
Mali vs. Tunisia
CONCACAF
Into the final three match window, Canada is in the best shape, pretty much needing a win to secure qualification as they go to Costa Rica, host Jamaica and then visit Panama on the final day; Mexico-USA play each other in the first match and the winner of that will feel comfortable in qualifying. USA is in decent shape too but their fixtures on paper are difficult having to go to Mexico and Costa Rica, their home game against Panama is essentially must win regardless. Panama and Costa Rica realistically are fighting for that playoff spot, while Panama have a trip to the US they have the slight edge as they play two home games against potentially unmotivated teams (their last match is against Canada who might be qualified by then)
AFC
We already know Iran and South Korea qualified easily from Group A, UAE/Lebanon/Iraq fighting for the AFC playoff spot; Group B is more intriguing as potentially a big name could miss out, Saudi Arabia have a four point edge on third place Australia with games against China (A) and Australia (H) upcoming, a win in China will be enough who are already eliminated. Japan visit Australia on the 24th and its pretty much a must win for Australia, if Japan get any result it should be good enough to qualify
OFC
This mini-tournament has been held in Qatar but its been ravaged by Covid, four games have already been cancelled and three teams all in the same group had an outbreak, not much other to say here, New Zealand is the heavy favorites and will face the 4th place CONCACAF team in June
UEFA
Only the playoffs remain and we will know 2 of the 3 teams at the World Cup at the end of this window; Path A won't be decided until June as the Scotland-Ukraine match has been pushed back while Wales-Austria will go ahead; in Path B, Poland is in the final and will host the winner of Sweden/Czech Rep; in Path C we have Italy/North Macedonia and Portugal/Turkey. All matches this window will be played on March 24 with the finals being on March 29
CONMEBOL
Two rounds remain plus the rather meaningless makeup game between Brazil-Argentina which doesn't even have a date yet; Brazil and Argentina have qualified with Ecuador in decent shape to get a direct spot. Uruguay/Peru/Chile/Colombia fighting for the final 1.5 spots (5th place in CONMEBOL gets a playoff with AFC). Uruguay host Peru on the 25th which is a massive match and will pretty much decide the last automatic qualifier I feel. On paper, Chile have the hardest task playing both Brazil and Uruguay this window while Colombia have two winnable games but need results to go their way
CAF
Pretty simple format, five playoff matchups to determine who goes to the World Cup; matches to be played on March 25 & 29
Egypt vs. Senegal
Cameroon vs. Algeria
Ghana vs. Nigeria
DR Congo vs. Morocco
Mali vs. Tunisia
CONCACAF
Into the final three match window, Canada is in the best shape, pretty much needing a win to secure qualification as they go to Costa Rica, host Jamaica and then visit Panama on the final day; Mexico-USA play each other in the first match and the winner of that will feel comfortable in qualifying. USA is in decent shape too but their fixtures on paper are difficult having to go to Mexico and Costa Rica, their home game against Panama is essentially must win regardless. Panama and Costa Rica realistically are fighting for that playoff spot, while Panama have a trip to the US they have the slight edge as they play two home games against potentially unmotivated teams (their last match is against Canada who might be qualified by then)
AFC
We already know Iran and South Korea qualified easily from Group A, UAE/Lebanon/Iraq fighting for the AFC playoff spot; Group B is more intriguing as potentially a big name could miss out, Saudi Arabia have a four point edge on third place Australia with games against China (A) and Australia (H) upcoming, a win in China will be enough who are already eliminated. Japan visit Australia on the 24th and its pretty much a must win for Australia, if Japan get any result it should be good enough to qualify
OFC
This mini-tournament has been held in Qatar but its been ravaged by Covid, four games have already been cancelled and three teams all in the same group had an outbreak, not much other to say here, New Zealand is the heavy favorites and will face the 4th place CONCACAF team in June
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