The World Cup awaits its final participants: the last three tickets for the World Cup-2022 will be awarded in early June via play-offs organized in Europe and Qatar, which could allow Ukraine, shaken by war, to snatch a highly symbolic qualification.
Between now and June 14, five play-off matches will follow to award these three tickets for the final tournament in Qatar (November 21-December 18): two matches in the Europe zone then one in the Asia zone, followed by two intercontinental play-offs involving in particular the winner of this Asian duel.
In Europe, the other play-offs have already taken place in March, with in particular the elimination of Italy, reigning European champions, but that involving the Ukrainians had to be postponed, only a month after the start of the offensive. Russian in Ukraine.
Since then, the “Zbirna” has been able to organize an internship in Slovenia to prepare to face Scotland, with a play-off semi-final scheduled for Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) in Glasgow on a single match.
If successful, the Ukrainians will compete for a place in the World Cup on a new ax meeting: a play-off final scheduled for Sunday (8:45 p.m.) in Cardiff against Wales.
“Before this match against Scotland, we must reject any parasitic thoughts”, commented the experienced Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov (37 years old).
“But we read the news, we call our families and friends and we know the situation in the country. That’s why things are different, day after day – sometimes it’s normal, sometimes we’re worried, because the rockets keep flying,” he said, quoted on his federation’s website. The team that emerges victorious from these final play-offs in the Europe zone will be placed in Group B at the World Cup, along with England, the United States and Iran.
The confrontation between Australia and the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday June 7 in Doha (8:00 p.m.) must determine the identity of the team from the Asia zone qualified for an intercontinental play-off six days later against the fifth from the South American zone. , namely Peru, on June 13.
The French team, reigning world champion, will particularly follow this sequence of matches: Australians, Emiratis or Peruvians will be the first opponents of the Blues in November in Qatar, paid in group D with also Denmark and Tunisia.
Finally, on June 14, Costa Rica, a surprise quarter-finalist at the 2014 World Cup, will challenge New Zealand for the final qualifying ticket, completing the field of 32 nations called upon to compete for the supreme title. “Ticos” or “Kiwis” will join Group E of the Mondial-2022, a particularly tough group featuring Spain, Germany and Japan.
