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We're almost through with the second round of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the UEFA zone.
The sides are left with just one or two more games to play before their fate is sealed. Germany and Denmark have become the first two European sides to book their tickets to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.
For the rest, it's going to be an intense and grueling final month of their respective campaigns, with World Cup dreams hanging by the balance.
After the latest round of qualifiers, here are the top five teams in danger of missing their flight:
#5 Armenia
Armenia have never qualified for any international tournament before. But back in March, that drought looked set to end at last as they were on a tear.
With three wins from their opening three games, the Mountaineers made their best-ever start to any qualifier in history. They even led the group as Germany fell to North Macedonia.
They seemed like early contenders for the top two places in the group. But it's all gone downhill ever since as the side have failed to win any of their next five games.
As a result, Armenia are now down in fourth place, behind Romania and North Macedonia in the race for the playoffs. They only have two games remaining, the last of which is against the mighty Germans.
With no Nations League success to bank on either, they're left to pull off a miracle.
#4 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina's 'golden generation' made history by participating at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the side's first-ever appearance at a major tournament.
What should've been a harbinger of more success in the coming years has instead turned into an anomaly, with the Dragons witnessing a steep decline.
Now, in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers too, they've flattered to deceive, well, besides that 1-1 draw against world champions France.
With only seven points in the bag from six games, the Balkan outfit are trailing second-placed Ukraine by two points. Meanwhile Finland are a point ahead of them as well.
While it looks like they still a have a chance, Bosnia face both these sides next month in what's their last pair of qualifying games.
Should they beat Finland, then a draw would be enough against Ukraine to finish second provided Finland lose to France on the final day. But failure to win would require them to beat Ukraine on the final day and hope the 2018 World Cup winners beat their Nordic rivals.
#3 Austria
Austria haven't qualified for the World Cup since 1998. But having been drawn into a relatively open group, this was their best chance.
With just 10 points in eight games, Das Team are fourth in Group F. The opportunity is slipping away as the side are left with a mountain to climb ahead of their final two fixtures.
Denmark, who boast a perfect record, have booked their place in Qatar. Meanwhile, the competition is intense between Scotland and Israel for a playoff spot.
The only realistic way for them now is based on their Nations League rankings, having won their group last year and secured promotion to League A.
It is currently serving them well, as Franco Foda's side are one of the two best Nations League group winners poised to advance into the next round.
However, it's also imperative for them to collect the maximum available points from their last two games for it to remain like that in the end.
#2 Turkey
Turkey were a big disappointment at Euro 2020. Despite an impressive qualifying campaign and possessing a talented squad, the Crescent Stars finished bottom of their group at the tournament proper after losing all three games.
Their World Cup hopes are now quickly diminishing too.
Starting out with a stunning 4-2 win over the Netherlands, they've collected only 12 more points from their next seven games. They sit third in Group G ahead of the final qualifying month.
Norway are two points clear in second place and face Latvia and the Netherlands in their final two games. Meanwhile, Turkey have easy fixtures against Gibraltar and Montenegro.
There's a chance that both sides could end up with the same points, in which case the goal-difference would come into play. As things stand, the Nordic outfit will be going into the playoffs at their expense.
Next year marks 20 years since Turkey's last appearance at the World Cup. If their results don't improve, then the wait is set to go on longer.
#1 Wales
Wales ended their long wait to participate in an international competition by qualifying for Euro 2016, a feat they later repeated earlier this year.
But it looks like we will have to wait a little longer before seeing the Dragons at the World Cup.
Third in Group E with only 11 points from six games, Rob Page's side face a difficult home stretch of the qualifying campaign next month.
They face the mighty Belgium on the final day, wherein a defeat would end their hopes.
The Czech Republic, who're second and above Wales on goal-difference, take on lowly Estonia in their last game. Barring an implosion, the side is expected to seal all three points comfortably.
That would make it 14 for them, leaving the Dragons to finish with one more point to come second and secure a place in the playoffs. It seems like a tough ask but Wales will have to play their best to hold out the Red Devils.
