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World Cup draw live as play off opponents decided for Scotland and Wales

The play-off fixtures have been decided involving Scotland and Wales as well as the likes of Euro 2020 winners Italy and Euro 2016 winners Portugal

Alex Pattle
Friday 26 November 2021 18:40 GMT
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World Cup 2022: Which teams qualify for the Qatar finals?

Follow live coverage of the World Cup 2022 play-off draw after Scotland and Wales learned their potential path to Qatar.

Scotland and Wales could meet to decide who goes to Qatar after they were both drawn in the same path for the qualifying play-offs. Steve Clarke's side will welcome Ukraine to Hampden Park in March while Rob Page's team will face Austria in Cardiff. The winners will then meet in a one-off final for a place at the 2022 tournament.

One of Euro 2020 winners Italy and Euro 2016 winners Portugal will also miss out after they were drawn in the same section. The games, including all six semi-finals and the following three one-off finals, will take place in the next international break early next year.

Follow all the latest reaction from the draw:

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Here are the teams taking part in the play-off semi-finals, in order of world ranking (highest to lowest):

Italy - 6th

Portugal - 8th

Sweden - 18th

Wales - 19th

Ukraine - 25th

Poland - 27th

Austria - 30th

Czech Republic - 31st

Russia - 34th

Turkey - 37th

Scotland - 38th

Macedonia - 67th

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 18:40
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And here’s Wales coach Robert Page on his team’s semi-final against Austria...

“We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity.

“We’ve worked ever so hard to finish second [in qualifying] and get that home draw.

“We’ve got everything to play for.”

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 18:20
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More from Clarke, on whether or not the possibility of a final against Wales will play on his mind and those of the Scotland players...

“We certainly won’t be distracted by it. We always treat our immediate opponents with the utmost respect. So that’s what Ukraine will get: They will get all our respect.

“We will approach the game with a bit of humility and we’ll do as well as we can.

“Over the winter months we will obviously have to prepare for either Wales or Austria and we’ll make sure we are well prepared for that if we manage to get through the first game.”

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 17:57
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Here’s what Scotland coach Steve Clarke had to say about his side’s semi-final, which pits them against Ukraine...

“It will be a tough game. I don’t think it matters who we were going to get in the semi-final draw, it was always going to be tough.

“We will go away and do our homework on Ukraine and try and come up with a winning formula.”

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 17:41
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World Cup play-off draw

So, in summary, Indy Sport predicts that Wales, Poland and Italy will be the teams to secure safe passage to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Scotland, Sweden and Portugal suffering play-off final heartbreak in March.

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 17:28
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Here’s how we think the play-offs could play out...

Path A – semi-finals

Scotland to edge past Ukraine, making the most of home advantage.

Wales to overcome Austria, so long as they have a fit Gareth Bale among their ranks.

Path B – semi-finals

Russia to bow out against Poland, courtesy of a Robert Lewandowski wonder goal.

Sweden to secure a narrow win against Czech Republic in the most evenly-matched tie.

Path C – semi-finals

Italy to see off North Macedonia comfortably.

Portugal to get past Turkey, but not without trouble.

Path A – final

Wales to edge past Scotland and qualify for the World Cup, with home fans roaring them on.

Path B – final

Poland to eliminate Sweden, again with Lewandowski playing a key role.

Path C – final

Italy to win a second tense final in a year, ousting Portugal despite the latter’s home advantage.

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 17:26
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The main takeaway from today’s draw, alongside the fact that Italy or Portugal will not be at next year’s World Cup:

Scotland and Wales could meet for place at Qatar 2022 World Cup

The Tartan Army and the Dragons will each have to negotiate a semi-final, but should they progress then they will meet in the final of their path for a place in Qatar

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 16:56
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A fair point?

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 16:55
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Same question – for the neutrals – regarding Scotland and Wales...

Who would you rather see at the World Cup?

Let us know by commenting at the bottom of the article.

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 16:50
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Who would you rather see at the World Cup: Portugal or Italy?

Let us know by commenting at the bottom of the article.

Alex Pattle26 November 2021 16:43

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