Italy will enter the draw for the play-offs in the World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to take place on November 26. Here’s all you need to know about the three slots up for grabs in March.
Italy are seeded for the draw on November 26, thanks to the 16 points collected in eight games in Group C.
The Azzurri are thus guaranteed a home game in the semi-finals of the play-offs, but all the teams in the upcoming play-offs have not been decided.
How many teams from Europe qualify for the 2022 World Cup?
Europe has 13 places in the World Cup next year and the teams finishing first in the 10 different groups have already secured a spot in the Finals.
But there are three places remaining, arriving through the play-offs, as the 10 runners-up are able to fight for a ticket to Qatar.
The two best teams from the UEFA Nations League who have not already qualified will also be given a chance to play for a place in the 2022 World Cup.
When will the draw take place?
The draw will take place on November 26 and the 12 teams will be split between seeded and unseeded.
Six teams are seeded, and six teams are unseeded, who are then divided into four groups with two from each pot.
There’s only one leg in the two rounds, as the winner of the semi-finals of their respective group will play in a play-off Final to win a spot in the competition.
Who are seeded for the World Cup Qualifying play-off?
The six teams who have scored the most points in the qualifying round will be seeded for the play-off, meaning Italy are among the top six in the next phase of the competition.
The other four plus the two from the UEFA Nations League are not seeded in the play-off draw.
When are the play-off matches played?
The semi-finals of the three respective groups will be played on March 24 and 25, while the three Finals will take place on March 28 and 29.
There are six semi-finals in total and the seeded teams will have a home ground advantage in the draw. But the location for the Finals will be drawn.
Teams qualified for the play-offs in March
Italy, Portugal Russia, Scotland, Czech Republic, Poland, Sweden, Wales, Austria, North Macedonia are already qualified for the play-offs.
Finland and Ukraine are fighting for the second place in Group D and thus access to the play-offs, while Turkey, Norway and Holland are playing for a place at the World Cup 2022 in Group G.
All I know is that we won’t qualify. We couldn’t beat a woeful and defensive sweden last time. This time given the format, we’ll buckle under pressure just like last night.
How is it a given Italy is a seeded team? I see them as 7th right now
1 – Scotland 23 points
2 -Russia 22 points
3 -Poland 20 points
4 – Turkey/Norway 18 points (game in hand each)
5 -Macedonia 18 points
6 – Portugal 17 points
7 – Italy 16 points
8 – Wales 14 points (game in hand)
All You Need To Know:
SF: Italy defeats Portugal 0-5.
F: italy loses to North Macedonia.
@Franco most of those point totals are incorrect, I have no idea what table you’re looking at. Portugal and Scotland have 17 points each, Italy and Russia have 16, Sweden have 15 and Poland 14. Even if Turkey win their game in hand they’d have only 15 points. Italy are certain to be seeded.
Well that’s me just vomited in my mouth reading this!!! For some reason I was under the impression it was just a home and away game and that’s that!!! Oh crikey this ain’t gonna be easy. Please ITALIA….. I don’t know where you have gone but we need you to come back again, if we can’t digest what has happened between now and that time then we do have massive problems.
Why would they penalize teams that have played only 8 matches against those who played 10?
I’m very very pesimistic about qualification. Long road and there are not weak opponents.
When you cannot beat Bulgaria at home, when you cannot convert 2 penalties vs the Swiss in 2 games & when you cannot even score a single goal vs. Northern Ireland….I’m sorry but I’m skeptical at best that this edition of gli Azzurri has what it takes to make it through the Playoff.
For the seeding, teams in groups of 10 throw out their two games against the last place teams. That’s why Italy is seeded.
You couldn’t beat Bulgaria at home I wonder who you’ll beat at the playoffs
The only hope they have is that they are not injured . But don’t hold your breath most of these guys like verratti , pellegrini zaniolo sensi are made of glass and constantly injured. If they can stay healthy they might have a chance but even so this format is tough and if you can’t score more than a goal then your not going past n Macedonia
Have faith fellow ITA supporters. We tend to not be confident and despair or be negative when we should always be proud of what we have achieved in the last year and be positive given our record. There is more joy to come. Forza!