Focus On Qatar 2022 – Who Will Qualify For Next Winter’s World Cup Finals?

This week sees the final double matchweek of the European World Cup Qualifying campaign. After this we will know the 10 teams that have qualified directly for the tournament as group winners, as well as the 12 teams that make it through to the playoffs.

The playoffs take place in March next year, with the 12 teams whittled down to just three who will join the 10 Group Winners as Europe’s representatives in the Finals in Qatar in November & December 2022.

We already know that two teams will be there, as they have already wrapped up their group and cannot be caught. Denmark, who have a perfect record in their group and are yet to concede a goal, and Germany are the two teams already pencilled in for a trip to Qatar in winter 2022.

Over matchday’s 9 and 10, eight more teams will join them and that is the focus of this week’s article/ Who will be the teams to claim a place in the World Cup Finals next year. Will there be any shocks? Who will make the playoffs and which two teams will earn a playoff berth through their performances in the Nations League?

There’s going to be plenty of betting on these games this week, and for an extensive range of World Cup betting, check out bet365 Sport. Alternatively, if you live in the United States, BetRivers Sportsbook is a great choice for its extensive soccer coverage.

How Do European Teams Qualify For The World Cup?

A total of 13 teams will qualify for the 2022 World Cup from this qualifying campaign.

The 10 Group Winners qualify directly to the finals.

The 10 Group Runners up, plus the 2 best Nations League Group Winner teams that did not finish in the top two of their groups, will qualify for the playoffs.

The playoffs will see the 12 teams drawn into three groups of four teams. Paths A, B and C. For each path there will be two one-leg semifinals, followed by a one-leg final, with the winning team from each path earning one of the final three spots at the finals.

Let’s look at how the groups shape up heading into these final two sets of games this week.

World Cup Qualifying Roundup

Group A

1. Serbia (7) – 17 (+8)
2. Portugal (6) – 16 (+12)
3. Luxembourg (6) – 6 (-9)
4. Rep of Ireland (6) – 5 (0)
5. Azerbaijan (7) – 1 (-11)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Azerbaijan v Luxembourg
• Republic of Ireland v Portugal

Matchday 10

• Luxembourg v Republic of Ireland
• Portugal v Serbia

Qualifying Summary

We already know that Serbia and Portugal will be the two teams to finish at the top of Group A and it will be the Portugal v Serbia match on the final matchday that will determine who wins the group and who goes into the playoffs.

I’d back Portugal to win the group, with Serbia progressing into the playoffs.

Group B

1. Sweden (6) – 15 (+9)
2. Spain (6) – 13 (+8)
3. Greece (6) – 9 (+1)
4. Georgia (7) – 4 (-8)
5. Kosovo (7) – 4 (-10)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Georgia v Sweden
• Greece v Spain

Matchday 10

• Spain v Sweden
• Greece v Kosovo

Qualifying Summary

While the Spain v Sweden game on Matchday 10 looks likely to be the decider in this group, if Sweden beat Georgia, then Spain need to beat Greece away from home in order for that game to be the decider.

Greece have been tricky to beat on home soil and Spain’s away form isn’t that great in the group, so the Matchday 9 games are as important as those on Matchday 10.

I have a sneaky feeling Sweden may do enough to win this group, with Spain going into the playoffs.

Group C

1. Italy (6) – 14 (+11)
2. Switzerland (6) – 14 (+9)
3. Bulgaria (7) – 8 (-4)
4. Northern Ireland (6) – 5 (-2)
5. Lithuania (7) – 3 (-14)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Italy v Switzerland
• Northern Ireland v Lithuania

Matchday 10

• Switzerland v Bulgaria
• Northern Ireland v Italy

Qualifying Summary

This is another group where it is just the order of the top two to be decided. Italy and Switzerland are the teams set to battle it out with the Matchday 9 game between the two likely to be decisive.

With home advantage, I can’t see Italy faltering here and so I’d back them to win the group, with Switzerland then forced into the playoffs.

Group D

1. France (6) – 12 (+5)
2. Ukraine (7) – 9 (+1)
3. Finland (6) – 8 (0)
4. Bosnia & Herzegovina (6) – 7 (+1)
5. Kazakhstan (7) – 3 (-7)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Bosnia & Herzegovina v Finland
• France v Kazakhstan

Matchday 10

• Bosnia & Herzegovina v Ukraine
• Finland v France

Qualifying Summary

France just need a win over Kazakhstan at home to win this group and I can see them landing that victory on Matchday 9.

That means the remaining games will all be key in deciding who finishes second to them. Any of the three teams could do so but I have a sneaky feeling that with home advantage in these two key games, Bosnia & Herzegovina may be the team to make it through.

Group E

1. Belgium (6) – 16 (+17)
2. Czech Republic (7) – 11 (+3)
3. Wales (6) – 11 (+1)
4. Estonia (6) – 4 (-8)
5. Belarus (7) – 3 (-13)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Wales v Belarus
• Belgium v Estonia

Matchday 10

• Wales v Belgium
• Czech Republic v Estonia

Qualifying Summary

A win for Belgium over Estonia will confirm them as group winners, which leaves an interesting situation in the battle for second place between Wales and the Czech Republic.

If Wales can claim four points from their last two games, then they will finish second, but they have to face Belgium in their final game, while the Czech’s have just one game left, a very winnable home game against Estonia.

However, both teams are also sitting pretty as being one of the two qualifiers from the Nations League for the playoffs, which means that if they miss out on second, they could be rescued by their performance in that competition and still compete in the playoffs.

Belgium will win this group and I think the Czech’s may just do enough for second, leaving Wales to qualify for the playoffs as one of the best Nations League teams.

Group F

1. Denmark (8) – 24 – (+27)
2. Scotland (8) – 17 (+6)
3. Israel (8) – 13 (+3)
4. Austria (8) – 10 (-3)
5. Faroe Islands (8) – 4 (-13)
6. Moldova (8) – 1 – (-20)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Moldova v Scotland
• Austria v Israel
• Denmark v Faroe Islands

Matchday 10

• Scotland v Denmark
• Israel v Faroe Islands
• Austria v Moldova

Qualifying Summary

Denmark have already qualified as winners of this group and if Scotland can match or better Israel’s result away to Austria, then they will be confirmed as the second place team in the group.

That scenario looks likely so it should be a Denmark and Scotland 1-2 confirmed this week.

Group G

1. Netherlands (8) – 19 – (+23)
2. Norway (8) – 17 (+9)
3. Turkey (8) – 15 (+4)
4. Montenegro (8) – 11 (0)
5. Latvia (8) – 5 (-5)
6. Gibraltar (8) – 0 – (-31)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Norway v Latvia
• Turkey v Gibraltar
• Montenegro v Netherlands

Matchday 10

• Gibraltar v Latvia
• Montenegro v Turkey
• Netherlands v Norway

Qualifying Summary

This is one of the more open groups, but even so I would expect the Netherlands to do enough to win the group, as they should be able to pick up a win in Montenegro, which leaves them needing just a draw or better against Norway.

Norway sit in second place in the group but I think they need to be careful with Turkey just two points behind. I can see Turkey winning both their games, which means Norway may need four points from their final two games, the last of which is away to the Netherlands, to claim a playoff spot.

This one could go down to the wire and I am backing the Netherlands to win the group and Turkey to pip Norway into second spot.

Group H

1. Russia (8) – 19 – (+8)
2. Croatia (8) – 17 (+10)
3. Slovakia (8) – 10 (+1)
4. Slovenia (8) – 10 (0)
5. Malta (8) – 5 (-9)
6. Cyprus (8) – 5 – (-10)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Russia v Cyprus
• Slovakia v Slovenia
• Malta v Croatia

Matchday 10

• Croatia v Russia
• Slovenia v Cyprus
• Malta v Slovakia

Qualifying Summary

This group is another that is down to just two teams, Russia and Croatia, with the two set to meet on what looks like being the decisive game on Matchday 10, unless Croatia slip up away to Malta. I can’t see that though, so we do seem set for a winner-takes-all showdown on that final matchday.

For me Croatia will do enough to win the group, with Russia forced into the playoffs.

Group I

1. England (8) – 20 – (+21)
2. Poland (8) – 17 (+17)
3. Albania (8) – 13 (+4)
4. Hungary (8) – 10 (+1)
5. Andorra (8) – 4 (-12)
6. San Marino (8) – 1 – (-31)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Hungary v San Marino
• England v Albania
• Andorra v Poland

Matchday 10

• Albania v Andorra
• San Marino v England
• Poland v Hungary

Qualifying Summary

England need to pick up four points to be sure of winning the group but with games left against Albania at home and San Marino away, that should be a formality.

Oddly, if England beat Albania, then Poland are confirmed as one of the top two teams in the group, and in truth, that is how this group will finish, England qualified and Poland in the playoffs.

Group J

1. Germany (8) – 21 – (+20)
2. Romania (8) – 13 (+3)
3. North Macedonia (8) – 12 (+5)
4. Armenia (8) – 12 (-3)
5. Iceland (8) – 8 (-4)
6. Liechtenstein (8) – 1 – (-21)

Remaining Fixtures

Matchday 9

• Armenia v North Macedonia
• Romania v Iceland
• Germany v Liechtenstein

Matchday 10

• Liechtenstein v Romania
• North Macedonia v Iceland
• Armenia v Germany

Qualifying Summary

Germany have already qualified as group winners, so it is about who will join them, Romania, North Macedonia and Armenia are the teams with a chance, but given how the games stack up for the teams, I think it is likely Romania will finish second to clinch the playoff spot behind the Germans.