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Padraig Whelan·11 November 2021
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Padraig Whelan·11 November 2021
With just over a year until the 2022 World Cup kicks off, plenty of European nations can punch their ticket to Qatar over the next week or so.
Here is what is required …
Portugal and Serbia are already confirmed as the top two and the automatic spot will be decided when they meet on November 14.
Sweden will qualify if they beat Georgia and Spain fail to beat Greece. They will secure a top two spot if they avoid defeat or if Greece do not win.
Spain will be confirmed as a top two finisher if they win or draw against Greece, who must win both games to stay in contention.
Italy and Switzerland are level on points at the top and face each other next but the result cannot decide first place with a final game to follow.
France will qualify with a win over Kazakhstan or if they draw and Bosnia and Herzegovina-Finland also ends level. Avoiding defeat will assure a top two place.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be out of contention to qualify if they lose against Finland.
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Belgium can confirm first place if they beat Estonia or if Wales, who are the only team who can catch them, do not beat Belarus.
Czech Republic and Wales are both in a shootout for second place should Belgium win and are currently level on points, although Robert Page’s side have a game in hand.
Denmark are already through as group winners.
Scotland can clinch a play-off place with victory over Moldova or if they draw and Israel also draw. Should Israel lose, then they are out of contention.
Austria are out of the running but can reach the play-offs via their Nations League position.
Netherlands will qualify for Qatar if they win against Montenegro and Norway do not beat Latvia. They will secure a top two spot win a win, or a draw if Turkey fail to win.
Norway will finish in the top two if they beat Latvia and Turkey do not beat Gibraltar, with qualification out of Turkey‘s hands, who are relying on two wins themselves and others doing them a favour.
Russia and Croatia have already made sure of the top two spots.
Russia will qualify with a win over Cyprus if Croatia fail to beat Malta but if they match results, it will come to a straight shootout between those nations in Croatia on the final matchday.
England will qualify if they beat Albania and Poland don’t beat Andorra, or if they draw and Poland lose. Avoiding defeat will see England secure a top two position.
Albania cannot finish in the top two if they do not win and Poland do.
Hungary need to beat San Marino and hope Poland lose and Albania fail to win to have any chance of finishing second.
Germany have already qualified.
Romania, North Macedonia, Armenia and Iceland all still have a chance to join them with qualification only able to be decided on the final night of action as all four play each other in the first round of fixtures.
Nations level on points are separated by goal difference and if that is equal, goals scored becomes the tie breaker