European Qualifiers: Who needs what
Tanzania
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European Qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup are reaching their business end. Here is the state of play across the ten European Qualifiers groups going into November's games.
Teams have only one or two matches each left to play between 11 and 16 November, after which the ten direct qualifiers and 12 play-off contenders will be confirmed. We look at the state of play across the ten groups.
Qualified as group winners: Denmark, Germany
Confirmed in top two of their group: Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland
Can qualify automatically: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales
Can finish runners-up in group: Armenia, Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Scotland
Can reach play-offs only via UEFA Nations League ranking: Austria
How qualifying works
Direct qualifying: The ten group winners qualify for the 2022 World Cup which runs from 21 November to 18 December in Qatar.
PLAY-OFFS
For the play-offs from 24 to 29 March, the ten group runners-up will be joined by the two best group winners from the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League overall rankings that have neither qualified directly for the World Cup as European Qualifiers group winners, nor entered the play-offs already as European Qualifiers group runners-up. These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for one-off semifinals and a final. The three path winners qualify for the World Cup.
For full details of how qualifying works and group tie-breakers see the official regulations (last updated 11 October).
As is stands
Group A: Serbia (Pd7, Pts17), Portugal (6, 16), Luxembourg (6,6), Republic of Ireland (6, 5), Azerbaijan (7, 1)
- 11 November: Azerbaijan vs Luxembourg Republic of Ireland vs Portugal
- 14 November: Portugal vs Serbia, Luxembourg vs Republic of Ireland
Portugal and Serbia are confirmed as the top two. First place will be decided when they meet on 14 November.
Group B: Sweden (6, 15), Spain (6, 13), Greece (6,9), Georgia (6, 4), Kosovo (6, 4)
- 11 November: Greece vs Spain, Georgia vs Sweden
- 14 November: Spain vs Sweden, Greece vs Kosovo
Sweden will qualify if they beat Georgia and Spain do not beat Greece. Sweden will seal a top-two finish if they avoid defeat or if Greece do not win.
Spain will be confirmed in the top two if they avoid defeat against Greece.
Greece must win to stay in contention for a top-two finish.
Georgia and Kosovo cannot finish in the top two.
Group C: Italy (6, 14), Switzerland (6, 14), Bulgaria (7, 8), Northern Ireland (6, 5), Lithuania (7, 3)
- 12 November: Italy vs Switzerland, Northern Ireland vs Lithuania
- 15 November: Switzerland vs Bulgaria, Northern Ireland vs Italy
Italy and Switzerland are confirmed as the top two. First place cannot be decided when they meet on 12 November.
Group D: France (6, 12), Ukraine (7, 9), Finland (6, 8), Bosnia and Herzegovina (6, 7), Kazakhstan (7, 3)
- 13 November: France vs Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Finland
16 November: Finland vs France, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine
France will qualify if they beat Kazakhstan, or if they draw and the game between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Finland is also drawn. France will seal a top-two finish by avoiding defeat.
Ukraine will only remain in contention to win the group if France lose and Finland do not win.
Finland will remain in contention to win the group if they win and France do not, or if Finland draw and France lose.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be out of contention to finish in the top two if they lose to Finland.
Kazakhstan cannot finish in the top two.
Group E: Belgium (6, 16), Czech Republic (7, 11), Wales (6, 11), Estonia (6, 4), Belarus (7, 3)
- 13 November: Belgium vs Estonia, Wales vs Belarus
- 16 November: Wales vs Belgium, Czech Republic vs Estonia
Belgium are confirmed in the top two. They will qualify with a win against Estonia, or if Wales (the only team that can catch them) fail to beat Belarus.
Estonia and Belarus cannot finish in the top two.
Group F: Denmark (8, 24 – qualified), Scotland (8, 17), Israel (8, 13), Austria (8, 10), Faroe Islands (8, 4), Moldova (8, 1)
- 12 November: Denmark vs Faroe Islands, Austria vs Israel, Moldova vs Scotland
- 15 November: Scotland vs Denmark, Israel vs Faroe Islands, Austria vs Moldova
Denmark have qualified as group winners.
Scotland will seal second place if they beat Moldova, or if they draw and Israel also draw with Austria, or if Israel lose.
Austria, Faroe Islands and Moldova cannot finish in the top two.
Group G: Netherlands (8, 19), Norway (8, 17), Turkey (8, 15), Montenegro (8, 11), Latvia (8, 5), Gibraltar (8, 0)
- 13 November: Turkey vs Gibraltar, Norway vs Latvia, Montenegro vs Netherlands
- 16 November: Netherlands vs Norway, Montenegro vs Turkey, Gibraltar vs Latvia
Netherlands will qualify if they win in Montenegro and Norway fail to beat Latvia. Netherlands will be confirmed in the top two with a win, or a draw if Turkey do not beat Montenegro, or if Turkey lose.
Norway will be confirmed in the top two if they beat Latvia and Turkey fail to beat Gibraltar.
Latvia and Gibraltar cannot finish in the top two.
Group H: Russia (8, 19), Croatia (8, 17), Slovakia (8, 10), Slovenia (8, 10), Malta (8, 5), Cyprus (8, 5)
- 11 November: Russia vs Cyprus, Slovakia vs Slovenia, Malta vs Croatia
- 14 November: Croatia vs Russia, Slovenia vs Cyprus, Malta vs Slovakia
Russia and Croatia are confirmed as the top two.
Russia will qualify if they beat Cyprus and Croatia fail to beat Malta.
Group I: England (8, 20), Poland (8, 17), Albania (8, 15), Hungary (8, 11), Andorra (8, 6), San Marino (8, 0)
- 12 November: England vs Albania, Hungary vs San Marino, Andorra vs Poland
- 15 November: Albania vs Andorra, San Marino vs England, Poland vs Hungary
England will qualify if they beat Albania and Poland do not beat Andorra, or if England draw and Poland lose. England will seal a top-two finish if they avoid defeat.
Poland will seal a top-two finish if they beat Andorra and Albania do not beat England.
Albania must beat England to remain in contention to win the group. Albania will be unable to finish in the top two if they do not win and Poland do.
Hungary must beat San Marino, and hope Poland lose and Albania fail to win, to stay in contention to finish second.
Andorra and San Marino cannot finish in the top two.
Group J: Germany (8, 21 – qualified), Romania (8, 13), North Macedonia (8, 12), Armenia (8, 12), Iceland (8, 8), Liechtenstein (8, 1)
- 11 November: Armenia vs North Macedonia, Germany vs Liechtenstein, Romania vs Iceland
- 14 November: North Macedonia vs Iceland, Armenia vs Germany, Liechtenstein vs Romania
Germany have qualified.
Second place cannot be confirmed on 11 November.
Liechtenstein cannot finish in the top two.
Teams have only one or two matches each left to play between 11 and 16 November, after which the ten direct qualifiers and 12 play-off contenders will be confirmed. We look at the state of play across the ten groups.
Qualified as group winners: Denmark, Germany
Confirmed in top two of their group: Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Switzerland
Can qualify automatically: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, England, Finland, France, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales
Can finish runners-up in group: Armenia, Czech Republic, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Scotland
Can reach play-offs only via UEFA Nations League ranking: Austria
How qualifying works
Direct qualifying: The ten group winners qualify for the 2022 World Cup which runs from 21 November to 18 December in Qatar.
PLAY-OFFS
For the play-offs from 24 to 29 March, the ten group runners-up will be joined by the two best group winners from the 2020/21 UEFA Nations League overall rankings that have neither qualified directly for the World Cup as European Qualifiers group winners, nor entered the play-offs already as European Qualifiers group runners-up. These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths for one-off semifinals and a final. The three path winners qualify for the World Cup.
For full details of how qualifying works and group tie-breakers see the official regulations (last updated 11 October).
As is stands
Group A: Serbia (Pd7, Pts17), Portugal (6, 16), Luxembourg (6,6), Republic of Ireland (6, 5), Azerbaijan (7, 1)
- 11 November: Azerbaijan vs Luxembourg Republic of Ireland vs Portugal
- 14 November: Portugal vs Serbia, Luxembourg vs Republic of Ireland
Portugal and Serbia are confirmed as the top two. First place will be decided when they meet on 14 November.
Group B: Sweden (6, 15), Spain (6, 13), Greece (6,9), Georgia (6, 4), Kosovo (6, 4)
- 11 November: Greece vs Spain, Georgia vs Sweden
- 14 November: Spain vs Sweden, Greece vs Kosovo
Sweden will qualify if they beat Georgia and Spain do not beat Greece. Sweden will seal a top-two finish if they avoid defeat or if Greece do not win.
Spain will be confirmed in the top two if they avoid defeat against Greece.
Greece must win to stay in contention for a top-two finish.
Georgia and Kosovo cannot finish in the top two.
Group C: Italy (6, 14), Switzerland (6, 14), Bulgaria (7, 8), Northern Ireland (6, 5), Lithuania (7, 3)
- 12 November: Italy vs Switzerland, Northern Ireland vs Lithuania
- 15 November: Switzerland vs Bulgaria, Northern Ireland vs Italy
Italy and Switzerland are confirmed as the top two. First place cannot be decided when they meet on 12 November.
Group D: France (6, 12), Ukraine (7, 9), Finland (6, 8), Bosnia and Herzegovina (6, 7), Kazakhstan (7, 3)
- 13 November: France vs Kazakhstan, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Finland
16 November: Finland vs France, Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Ukraine
France will qualify if they beat Kazakhstan, or if they draw and the game between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Finland is also drawn. France will seal a top-two finish by avoiding defeat.
Ukraine will only remain in contention to win the group if France lose and Finland do not win.
Finland will remain in contention to win the group if they win and France do not, or if Finland draw and France lose.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be out of contention to finish in the top two if they lose to Finland.
Kazakhstan cannot finish in the top two.
Group E: Belgium (6, 16), Czech Republic (7, 11), Wales (6, 11), Estonia (6, 4), Belarus (7, 3)
- 13 November: Belgium vs Estonia, Wales vs Belarus
- 16 November: Wales vs Belgium, Czech Republic vs Estonia
Belgium are confirmed in the top two. They will qualify with a win against Estonia, or if Wales (the only team that can catch them) fail to beat Belarus.
Estonia and Belarus cannot finish in the top two.
Group F: Denmark (8, 24 – qualified), Scotland (8, 17), Israel (8, 13), Austria (8, 10), Faroe Islands (8, 4), Moldova (8, 1)
- 12 November: Denmark vs Faroe Islands, Austria vs Israel, Moldova vs Scotland
- 15 November: Scotland vs Denmark, Israel vs Faroe Islands, Austria vs Moldova
Denmark have qualified as group winners.
Scotland will seal second place if they beat Moldova, or if they draw and Israel also draw with Austria, or if Israel lose.
Austria, Faroe Islands and Moldova cannot finish in the top two.
Group G: Netherlands (8, 19), Norway (8, 17), Turkey (8, 15), Montenegro (8, 11), Latvia (8, 5), Gibraltar (8, 0)
- 13 November: Turkey vs Gibraltar, Norway vs Latvia, Montenegro vs Netherlands
- 16 November: Netherlands vs Norway, Montenegro vs Turkey, Gibraltar vs Latvia
Netherlands will qualify if they win in Montenegro and Norway fail to beat Latvia. Netherlands will be confirmed in the top two with a win, or a draw if Turkey do not beat Montenegro, or if Turkey lose.
Norway will be confirmed in the top two if they beat Latvia and Turkey fail to beat Gibraltar.
Latvia and Gibraltar cannot finish in the top two.
Group H: Russia (8, 19), Croatia (8, 17), Slovakia (8, 10), Slovenia (8, 10), Malta (8, 5), Cyprus (8, 5)
- 11 November: Russia vs Cyprus, Slovakia vs Slovenia, Malta vs Croatia
- 14 November: Croatia vs Russia, Slovenia vs Cyprus, Malta vs Slovakia
Russia and Croatia are confirmed as the top two.
Russia will qualify if they beat Cyprus and Croatia fail to beat Malta.
Group I: England (8, 20), Poland (8, 17), Albania (8, 15), Hungary (8, 11), Andorra (8, 6), San Marino (8, 0)
- 12 November: England vs Albania, Hungary vs San Marino, Andorra vs Poland
- 15 November: Albania vs Andorra, San Marino vs England, Poland vs Hungary
England will qualify if they beat Albania and Poland do not beat Andorra, or if England draw and Poland lose. England will seal a top-two finish if they avoid defeat.
Poland will seal a top-two finish if they beat Andorra and Albania do not beat England.
Albania must beat England to remain in contention to win the group. Albania will be unable to finish in the top two if they do not win and Poland do.
Hungary must beat San Marino, and hope Poland lose and Albania fail to win, to stay in contention to finish second.
Andorra and San Marino cannot finish in the top two.
Group J: Germany (8, 21 – qualified), Romania (8, 13), North Macedonia (8, 12), Armenia (8, 12), Iceland (8, 8), Liechtenstein (8, 1)
- 11 November: Armenia vs North Macedonia, Germany vs Liechtenstein, Romania vs Iceland
- 14 November: North Macedonia vs Iceland, Armenia vs Germany, Liechtenstein vs Romania
Germany have qualified.
Second place cannot be confirmed on 11 November.
Liechtenstein cannot finish in the top two.
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