Newsletter

Only one World Cup ticket for Italy and Portugal

ENeither Italy’s frenetically acclaimed European champions or Portugal’s star Cristiano Ronaldo have to stay at home and watch the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This was the result of the draw for the European playoffs in Zurich on Friday. In path C there could be a showdown between the European champions from 2016 and the successor from this summer on March 29th – provided Italy (at home against North Macedonia) and Portugal (at home against Turkey and coach Stefan Kuntz) do their duty on March 24th fulfill. In the duel between the two football giants, Portugal would have home rights.

Knowledge has never been more valuable

Read F + 30 days for free now and get access to all articles on FAZ.NET.

READ F + NOW


“It’s very difficult for us. North Macedonia is a good team and then we have to play the final away, in Portugal or in Turkey. It’s very tricky, ”said Italy coach Roberto Mancini during the draw. The Squadra Azzurra could miss the final tournament for the second time in a row, after it already happened at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

It will also be particularly tricky for the former German U21 coach Kuntz. His Turkey would have to defeat Portugal and Italy one after the other to qualify for the final tournament in winter 2022 (November 21 to December 18). “This is definitely the most difficult path. The biggest wish is to bring the grand final to Turkey so we can see what is possible for us, ”said Kuntz.

In path A, the semi-final duels are Scotland against Ukraine and Wales against Austria. If Austria makes it to the final for former Bayern star David Alaba, they would have home rights. Poland and world footballer Robert Lewandowski will initially be in Russia on Path B. In a possible final there could be a duel between Lewandowski’s Poles and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Swedes. Sweden previously hosted the Czech Republic in the semi-finals.

.

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending