One of the two recent European champions is guaranteed to miss out on the FIFA World Cup 2022 as Portugal and Italy are drawn in the same path for the playoffs. The draws for the playoffs of qualification from Europe were made on Friday (November 26). As a result, the fate of 12 teams was hanging in balance to determine their potential opponents in the playoffs for a ticket to Qatar next year.
Two of the biggest teams in world football are drawn on the same path of qualification as Italy and Portugal could face one another for a place in the showpiece event. Defending European champions Italy finished runners-ups in Group C of their qualifying group behind Switzerland and were drawn against group J runner-ups North Macedonia for the first semi-final. It is also a possibility that both Portugal and Italy may miss out on a World Cup berth if they lose their respective semi-final playoffs.
Conceding late against Serbia proves costly for Portugal
While 2016 European champions Portugal are drawn against Turkey. Portugal finished runners-up in group A of the qualifiers behind Serbia and had to settle for a place in the playoffs. It is worth noting that in the last five years, Fernando Santo’s side has clinched Euro 2016 as well as Nations League glory in 2019.
Portugal were favorites to progress from group A of the qualifiers as Serbia were considered second favourites. Ronaldo’s side was minutes away from qualification in their final qualifier against Serbia, before Alexander Mitrovic scored a late goal to break the hearts of 2016 European champions.
Jorginho miss against Switzerland comes back to bite the European champions
It wasn’t a different story for Italy as star midfielder Jorginho missed a penalty in their penultimate game against Switzerland that could have sealed their qualification. However, Jorginho's miss coupled with a draw against Northern Ireland on the final day meant that it was Switzerland who punched their ticket to Qatar next year. It could be a Déjà Vu for Italy if they miss out on qualification as they didn’t make it to Russia in 2018.
In other qualification draws, 2018 World Cup quarter-finalists Russia are drawn against Poland, while Scotland will try to make their first FIFA World Cup since 1998 as they play Ukraine in the other semi-final. In another qualification path, 1958 World Cup runners-up Sweden were drawn against the Czech Republic. British hopes will also be in full swing as Wales tries to make its first World Cup. They are drawn against Austria, who finished third in the 1954 World Cup.
