The two European giants are set to participate in the playoffs after failing to secure automatic qualification.
Portugal and Italy failed to secure automatic qualification to next year’s World Cup at Qatar after ending up second in their respective groups of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were stunned by Serbia in the final qualifying game of Group A. Both sides were level on points before the game, but a 2-1 comeback win from the Serbians handed them automatic qualification to the World Cup, leaving Portugal behind.
In Group C, Euro 2020 winners Italy were deemed the favourites to come out on top. However, a stalemate against Northern Ireland last night thwarted Azzurri’s chances, with Switzerland clinching the top spot after an emphatic win over Lithuania.
As a result, Portugal and Italy will now enter the playoffs, which will be held in March, to know their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.
Portugal vs Italy could be on the cards in the playoffs
A total of 13 teams from European Qualifiers will make it to the 2022 World Cup at Qatar. While the leaders of 10 groups will secure automatic qualification, the rest of the three teams will be decided by the playoffs.
The playoffs will consist of 12 teams – runners of each group and the two best-placed teams in the Nations League.
Talking about the format, the playoffs get divided into three paths and the teams coming out on top of their respective path will be guaranteed a place in the World Cup. Each path will have four teams contest in a single-leg semi-final and final.
As for Italy and Portugal, they wouldn’t be facing in the semi-finals, as they will be drawn into Pot A as the best-placed runners up teams.
However, there is a big chance for the two European giants to meet in the finals, meaning one of them will bite the dust.
Given that it will be a single-legged semi-final and final, Portugal and Italy have to stay at their very best, with plenty of underdogs also keen to secure their ticket to the World Cup.
Azzurri failed to qualify for the previous edition of the World Cup in 2018 but their resurgence under Roberto Mancini saw them win the European Championship months ago. Now, they will look to avoid another setback when they enter the playoffs next year.
Touted as his final World Cup campaign with Portugal, Cristiano Ronaldo wants to win the long-evading trophy. However, Portugal, despite boasting some of the finest players in Europe, have a mountain to climb.
