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
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:
World Cup play-off draw
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
World Cup play-off draw
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.”
World Cup play-off draw
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.”
World Cup play-off draw
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.”
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.
World Cup play-off draw
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.
World Cup play-off draw
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
World Cup play-off draw
Same question – for the neutrals – regarding Scotland and Wales...
Who would you rather see at the World Cup?
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