Italy host Switzerland at the Stadio Olimpico tonight in a key World Cup qualifier. Here’s how the Azzurri can book their place for Qatar 2022.
Italy and Switzerland are on even points on top of Group C with the two games remaining, but the Azzurri have a better goal difference ahead of tonight’s match in Rome. Italy’s goal difference is 11 (12 goals scored, one conceded), Switzerland’s is 9 (10 scored, one conceded).
Italy will visit Northern Ireland in the last group stage game next Monday, while Switzerland host Bulgaria.
Only the group winner goes straight to Qatar 2022, while the runner-ups must go through the play-offs.
After finishing second in their group behind Spain, Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, losing in the play-offs against Sweden.
So, how can they qualify this time?
With two games remaining, a win against Switzerland tonight and a draw in the last match against Northern Ireland would be enough for Mancini’s boys to earn a spot for next year’s World Cup.
If Italy and Switzerland finish the group on even points, the team with the better goal difference will qualify.
The group winner is determined by the following criteria, if goal difference is the same:
1 – greatest number of goals scored in all group matches;
2- greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the
teams concerned;
3 – goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams
concerned;
4 – greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams
concerned;
5 – the goals scored away from home count double between the teams
concerned;
6 – fair play points system in which the number of yellow and red cards in all
group matches is considered according to the following deductions*;
7 – drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee.
Two points in the next two games could be enough for Italy, provided Switzerland also draw their last group stage game at home against Bulgaria.
*How the Fair Play points system works:
first yellow card: minus 1 point
second yellow card/indirect red card: minus 3 points
direct red card: minus 4 points
yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points
Ha! 8th option. Scissors, paper, stone! It’s never going to get that far anyway but if it did, then they should use Fifa ranking’s or something. That’s nonsense too but it’d better than drawing lots!
Handy to know this stuff though. Nice article!
The thing about the world cup is that half of the top 48 teams in the world are from Europe but there is only 14 teams from Europe going. I know they want multiple regions but the top teams should go regardless of region.
@joe del Monte. International Super League!
Easy just win your games especially tonight