Ronaldo and Portugal face difficult play-off path to Qatar 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal could go through a very tough path to secure a place in the 2022 Qatar.

The group winners have already qualified they are France, Denmark, Spain, England, Serbia, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and Croatia.

While the 10 runners-up from the qualifiers will be joined by 2 best teams from UEFA Nations League.

This edition will be the first time European nations have to overcome two opponents in the play-offs to qualify – first in a one-legged semi-final, then a one-legged final.

WHEN WILL THE UEFA WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS TAKE PLACE?

The play-off semi-finals take place next year on Thursday 24 March, with the finals on Tuesday 29 March.

WHEN IS THE DRAW FOR THE WORLD CUP PLAY-OFFS?

The draw takes place on Friday 26 November in Zurich, Switzerland.

WHO HAS REACHED THE PLAY-OFFS AND WHO ARE THE SEEDED TEAMS?

The 10 runners-up from the qualifying groups have been joined by two additional teams, selected based on UEFA Nations League rankings.

The six highest-ranked teams, based on points accrued in their qualifying groups, are seeded – guaranteeing a home tie in the semi-finals – with the remaining six unseeded.

Here are the teams set for the play-offs (seeded teams are 1-6, UEFA Nations League teams are 11-12):

1. Portugal
2. Scotland
3. Italy
4. Russia
5. Sweden
6. Wales
7. Turkey
8. Poland
9. North Macedonia
10. Ukraine
11. Austria
12. Czech Republic

The teams will be split into three paths – aka a mini four-team knockout tournament.

While the teams from 1-6 have guaranteed a semi-final on home soil, an additional random draw will be held to determine which semi-final winner plays at home in the final.

Which seems gloriously chaotic.

Win your path’s final and that’s it, job done. You’re off to Qatar!

CAN ITALY AND PORTUGAL FACE EACH OTHER?

Despite being seeded, the two big-hitters in the play-offs could still meet.

They would need to be drawn together in the same path and win their semi-finals at home to create the ultimate showdown. Imagine…

CAN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE BE DRAWN TOGETHER?

No, due to the “prohibited team clash” rule.

WHY ARE AUSTRIA AND CZECH REPUBLIC IN?

To make the UEFA Nations League seem relevant, there is an added bonus for success: a chance of World Cup qualifying redemption.

Two play-off spots were held back for the best Nations League group winners (i.e. those in the highest leagues) who didn’t finish in the top two of their World Cup qualification group.

Here, in order, are the 14 group winners: France, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Wales, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Montenegro, Albania, Armenia, Gibraltar, Faroe Islands.

The first five all won their qualifying group or finished runner-up, meaning that Austria and Czech Republic became the 11th and 12th teams in the play-offs.

WHEN IS THE 2022 WORLD CUP?

The showpiece event in Qatar will be the first World Cup in history to take place outside the traditional summer months, with the intense heat forcing FIFA to push it back. It will run from November 21 to December 18.

FIFA are expected to hold the draw in April 2022.