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Every footballing nation wants to feature at the World Cup. Unfortunately, it is hardly a straightforward task. Over the course of the qualifying campaign, many big teams lose focus and are forced to be happy with a play-off spot instead.
On the flip side, a few underdogs overachieve and also find themselves in the play-offs, competing against the biggest teams.
As expected, the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers have produced many unexpected results. 12 teams have come out second-best in their respective groups and will now take part in the play-offs to book their tickets for Qatar.
Here are the top five teams who will compete in the 2022 World Cup play-offs in March:
#5 Wales
Wales are probably not one of the biggest footballing nations on the planet, but they certainly seem to be one of the most spirited. Despite being in a group of death alongside Belgium, the Czech Republic, Estonia and Belarus, they have secured a play-off spot, against all odds.
Wales had to face table-toppers Belgium in their final 2022 World Cup Qualifying fixture. Without Gareth Bale in the team, Wales started on the backfoot. However, through perseverance and determination, they matched Belgium punch-for-punch and secured a 1-1 draw.
Not only did the draw confirm their play-off spot, but it also made them one of the six seeded teams who would play at home.
With a favorable draw, Wales could come out of the play-offs in one piece and could make their first World Cup finals appearance since 1958.
#4 Scotland
Scotland were thrown into Group F alongside Denmark, Israel, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Moldova. Many expected Austria and Denmark to fight it out for the top spot. Surprisingly, it was Scotland who came out all guns blazing against Denmark.
Scotland picked up seven wins and two draws in 10 games. Their only defeat came against table-toppers Denmark. The 2-0 defeat in Denmark served as a wakeup call for Scotland. They bounced back with renewed ambition, winning the next six matches on the trot.
In their last World Cup Qualifying fixture, Scotland took on Denmark in front of a packed Hampden Park. Scotland were determined to settle the score and goals from John Souttar and Che Adams made sure the hosts got what they deserved.
The 2-0 win in the reverse fixture against Denmark also earned Scotland home advantage in the 2022 World Cup Qualifying play-offs.
#3 Poland
Robert Lewandowski may very well be one of the best players in the world, but even he could not save Poland from finishing second in their qualifying group. With England firing on all cylinders, Poland needed a miracle to top the group. Instead, they ended up losing their final Group I encounter against Hungary on Monday.
Poland won six of their 10 matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding 11. Their two defeats came against England and Hungary respectively, proving their incompetence against organized opposition.
Poland rely heavily on Lewandowski’s brilliance to get favorable results, which often makes their gameplay one-dimensional.
It will be interesting to see whether Poland try to fix this issue or focus even more on giving the ball to their talisman.
#2 Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal were placed in Group A, alongside Serbia, Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan. On the surface, it looked like a straightforward group for the 2016 European champions. Unfortunately, they could not quite live up to the billing.
Portugal started their 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Azerbaijan. In the next match, they were restricted to a 2-2 draw in Serbia.
They bounced back with four wins on the trot but ended up dropping points when it mattered the most. In their penultimate Group A fixture, they drew with Ireland, while their final match ended in a 1-2 home defeat against Serbia.
The onus will once again be on Ronaldo to carry Portugal to another World Cup campaign, just like he did back in 2013.
#1 Italy
Reigning European champions Italy drew 0-0 with Northern Ireland on Monday night to find themselves in second position in Group C. Switzerland, who picked up an emphatic 4-0 win over Bulgaria on the same night, secured the automatic qualification spot, beating Italy by two points.
The four-time World Cup winners endured a torrid 2022 World Cup Qualification campaign. They drew four of their eight Group C fixtures, winning the remaining four.
Euro 2020 hero Jorginho missed two crucial penalties against Switzerland in their two World Cup Qualifying fixtures, which saw Italy drop four points.
Almost every Italian player underperformed throughout the 2022 World Cup Qualifying campaign. They could not penetrate defenses when they needed to and ultimately paid the price.
Roberto Mancini’s Italy will need to up the ante in the knock-outs to book their place at the 2022 World Cup. Another slip-up could see them miss the grandestest spectacle for the second consecutive time.
