FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: 5 Colossal Footballing Giants that are yet to qualify for 2022 FIFA World Cup including the likes of Portugal, Italy and England: The World Cup fever is already setting in, with 1 year until the entertainment in Qatar begins. Many footy biggies are still yet to qualify for Earth’s biggest sporting spectacle. So here are 5 great nations who haven’t earned qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup until now:
- Portugal: Given the bundles of quality that Portugal possess; Portugal has been classed as one of the favorites for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Everyone thought that all the outright contenders for the World Cup would directly qualify from the Groups itself (given that most of them were in different groups)
Cristiano Ronaldo and co were dragged back to reality last night, when Serbia scored a late 90th-minute winner to crush Portugal. Cristiano Ronaldo broke into tears after the match. Portugal now would have to go through the Knockout rounds in order to reach Qatar. There is a very big possibility that we could see a Cristiano Ronaldo less World Cup in 2022, as only 3 teams out of 12 in knockout rounds will qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
🇵🇹 Cristiano Ronaldo was in tears after Portugal lost to a last minute goal against Serbia pic.twitter.com/WHGnsS8WVW
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) November 15, 2021
2. England: Despite being unbeaten in qualification, Gareth Southgate’s England side have been pushed all the way to the final day by Poland. Despite all the paper talk, England already have one foot in Qatar, England will not qualify directly if:
- England loses by a margin of 6 goals or more to San Marino and Poland would have to win their respective game against Hungary.
- Poland wins their game by a margin of 6 or more against Hungary to overtake England’s goal difference and simultaneously England loses against San Marino.
🏴➡️🇸🇲
The #ThreeLions are in San Marino! pic.twitter.com/VMt0XkuCnI
— England (@England) November 14, 2021
FIFA World Cup Qualifiers:
3. The Netherlands: The Dutch will be hoping that they don’t repeat the same thing that happened in Montenegro a few days back, where they threw a 2-goal lead late into the 2nd half, the late goals delayed the Dutch’s direct qualification for Qatar, but they still have their destiny in their own hands, any sort of slipup however could prove to very costly for Louis Van Gaal’s team who could go on to miss their 2nd consecutive World Cup. For the Netherlands to Qualify:
- A win/draw would guarantee the Dutch’s return to the big stage.
FT. Not today…#WCQ2022 #MNENED pic.twitter.com/xW7PxrUJxx
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 13, 2021
4. Italy: Italy is in a much precarious position than The Netherlands and England, the current European Champions sits level on 15 points with Switzerland. Roberto Mancini’s men have a better goal difference than Switzerland. Italy would qualify for the Group Stages of the World Cup if:
- Italy wins against Northern Irelands and Switzerland loses/draws against Bulgaria.
- Italy wins against Northern Irelands and Switzerland win against Bulgaria, but margin of Bulgaria’s victory is 2 or less than Italy’s
- Italy and Switzerland both lose to their respective opponents, but Italy loses by a Margin of 2 or less goals.
- Italy and Switzerland both draw against their respective opponents.
🌍 #WCQ
Northern Ireland 🆚 Italy
⏱️ 20:45 CET
🏟️ Windsor Park
📍 Belfast#NIRITA #WCQ #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/zqAcTxR5yC— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) November 15, 2021
5. Uruguay: Direct qualification looks to be really difficult for Uruguay and it looks a real possibility that the South Americans would have to go to the Knockout Rounds to book their place in Qatar. Uruguay currently sits in 6th position with 16 points and take-on Bolivia in their next match. However, they still can achieve direct qualification if:
- Ecuador wins/draws against Chile, Paraguay wins/draws Columbia and Uruguay beats Bolivia
- Uruguay wins big against Bolivia and overtakes Chile and Columbia in Goal Difference.
🎥 ⚽️ La Celeste realizó el penúltimo entrenamiento previo al viaje a Bolivia.
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— Selección Uruguaya (@Uruguay) November 15, 2021