There are little over two years till the FIFA World Cup in 2022. One of the biggest sports events ever will take place, and it is sure to be amazing. As the group stage of the World Cup Qualifiers draws to a close, numerous elite teams are displaying warning signs.
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13 European nations, 5 African teams, 5 Asian teams (with the host nation Qatar), 4 South American teams, and 3 North American teams will compete in the World Cup. The remaining two slots will be filled by the champions of the international playoffs.
Right now, a number of elite teams run the risk of missing the quadrennial competition. Without further ado, here are the top five teams that risk missing out on a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2022.
Fifth: Sweden
Sweden’s shocking loss to Georgia this week has hurt its prospects of making it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Swedes missed the chance to hold onto their advantage against Spain because of the mistakes made by both Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Aleksander Isak.
With 15 points, Sweden is in second place in Group B and is certain to move on to the playoffs. The group’s top team, Spain, will be their opponent in their lone remaining game. La Roja is in the lead in Group B right now with 16 points. As a result, Sunday’s game between Sweden and Spain will be very important.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Aleksander Isak, Emil Forsberg, and Victor Lindelof are just a few of Sweden’s many outstanding players. It would be disappointing if they did not make it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Fourth: Japan
The Japanese team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup was among the best. After placing second in a group that also included Colombia, Poland, and Senegal, they moved on to the knockout rounds.
Japan also got off to a 2-0 lead against Belgium in the Round of 16 matches. The Belgian Red Devils attacked them in the final 20 minutes, destroying them despite their great performance. Belgium’s Nacer Chadli scored the game-winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time to defeat Japan 3-2.
The current Japanese national team features some well-known players. Excellent athletes include Takumi Minamino, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Maya Yoshida, and Junya Ito. They presently occupy third place in Group B of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers, nevertheless. They are now competing for the final playoff position as a result.
They still have three games left, so they have time to turn things around. The last three FIFA World Cup Qualifying games for Japan in 2022 are against Vietnam, Australia, and Saudi Arabia.
Third: Wales
With 11 points from six games, Wales is presently third in Group E in the European World Cup Qualifiers. Despite having a poorer goal differential, they are tied for second place with the Czech Republic in terms of points. However, Ryan Giggs’ team leads the Czech Republic by a game.
However, this is where things become challenging. The Czech Republic’s final group match of the Qualifiers will be against Estonia. Wales’ final match will be against Belgium before they take on Belarus on Saturday.
Wales will need to play their hearts out right now just to qualify for the playoffs. Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey might not have another World Cup opportunity after this one. The Welshmen, on the other hand, seem to be retelling the same old tale of their abject failure in World Cup qualifying.
Number 2: Italy and Switzerland
Italy was beaten to a 1-1 tie by Switzerland on Friday, which significantly hurt their prospects of making the World Cup. The Azzurri lost a chance to put some gap between themselves and second-place Switzerland when Jorginho missed a penalty.
In terms of points, Italy and Switzerland are now tied for first place. After seven games, both teams have 15 points, but Italy has an advantage in goal differential (+11), while Switzerland has a goal differential (+9). Roberto Mancini’s team will play the Republic of Ireland in their final match, while Switzerland will take on Bulgaria.
Switzerland performed admirably at Euro 2020. Prior to losing to Spain on penalties in the quarterfinals, they upset tournament favorites France in the Round of 16.
First: Uruguay
South American football’s powerhouse is Uruguay. Four South American teams will participate in the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Both Argentina and Brazil are in top shape, and their qualifying campaigns are on schedule. The final two positions are presently occupied by Ecuador and Chile.
Uruguay has lost its last three games and hasn’t won any of its last four World Cup qualifying matches, placing them sixth in the standings. They are even on points with Chile in fourth position but have a marginally inferior goal differential. Uruguay has a GD of -4, whereas Chile has a GD of +1.
With a goal differential of -1, Colombia is presently ranked sixth. The upcoming schedule for Uruguay, on the other hand, is quite straightforward because they have already won both of their matches against Argentina and Brazil.
Chile will take on Brazil and Argentina. The games between Colombia and the Selecao are over, but they will play La Albiceleste one more. Although they are still in with a chance, Uruguay cannot afford to make any errors.
As this might be Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani’s final World Cup, it would be unfortunate for Uruguay to not qualify.
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