European champions Italy and Portugal could meet for a place at the 2022 World Cup after being drawn in the same playoff path on Friday. T...
European champions Italy and Portugal could meet for a place at the 2022 World Cup after being drawn in the same playoff path on Friday.
The Azzurri and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal both finished second in their qualifying groups, behind Switzerland and Serbia respectively.
Italy will host North Macedonia in the play-off first round in March, with Turkey visiting Portugal, before the winners face off for a spot at next year’s finals in Qatar.
The draw means that one of the last two European Championship winners will not be at the next World Cup. Portugal won the Euro 2016 title.
JUST IN:
— The Field (@thefield_in) November 26, 2021
It is official: Either Italy (Euro2020 Champions) or Portugal (Euro 2016 Champions) will NOT be part of the 2022 Fifa World Cup. They are drawn in the same playoff path in Europe. pic.twitter.com/scmVKucN5y
The winners of Portugal’s match with Turkey will host the final-round game in Path C.
“It’s a very difficult draw for us,” said Italy coach Roberto Mancini. “North Macedonia is a very good team, and if we win we have to play away.”
Italy – who beat England on penalties in the Euro 2020 final earlier this year – are hoping to banish the memories of their play-off heartache from four years ago when they lost...
