With Croatia’s victory this Sunday, there are now seven teams qualified for the 2022 World Cup (including Qatar, host country of the competition). In total, thirty-two selections will play in the final phase, from November 21 to December 18.
The France team validated its qualification for the 2022 World Cup by crushing Kazakhstan (8-0) on Saturday at the Parc des Princes. Didier Deschamps’s gang therefore got their ticket to Qatar, just like five other teams.
Germany
The first team to land their ticket to Qatar is unsurprisingly Germany. The Nationalmannschaft quietly won in North Macedonia (4-0) to validate their ticket thanks to goals from Chelsea players Kai Havertz and Timo Werner, as well as Jamal Musiala. The quadruple world champions, again winners this Sunday in Armenia (4-1), beat the surprising North Macedonia, which secured its place of play-off against a disappointing Iceland (3-1). Two games from the end, they can no longer be joined, them who have never really trembled in this group totally within their reach.
The men of Hansi Flick (successor to Joachim Löw) impressed in qualifying and are once again among the big favorites for the final victory after the dismal failure of 2018 (elimination in the first round). This is Germany’s 18th consecutive qualification for the finals of a World Cup.
Denmark
Denmark also qualified for the 2022 World Cup. Kasper Hjulmand’s men got their ticket for Qatar after their narrow victory against Austria (1-0). It was Atalanta player Joakim Maehle who scored the saving goal, the only one of the match, which offered the victory to the semi-finalists of Euro 2021, who thus continue their good series.
The Danes have completely flown over their qualifying group with no less than nine victories in as many games. They notably scored 30 goals and have only one, against the Faroe Islands on Friday (3-1). This perfect balance sheet obviously enabled them to secure first place in Group F.
Brazil
Brazil is the first nation in the South America zone to officially qualify for the 2022 World Cup. Neymar’s teammates needed a short success against Colombia (1-0) on Friday in Sao Paulo for validate their entry ticket to Qatar. The deliverance came from Lyonnais Lucas Paqueta, well served by Neymar. This duo has been one of the main assets of the Seleçao during this qualification campaign.
With five days remaining, the Brazilians remain undefeated and thus materialize their almost perfect course with 11 wins in 12 games (a 0-0 draw against Colombia on October 10). They will refine Argentina on Tuesday with a free spirit.
Belgium
It was also expected, Belgium assumed its status as the number one team in the FIFA rankings and also qualified for the 2022 World Cup. The Red Devils will go to Qatar following their victory against Estonia (3-1), Saturday in Brussels.
Roberto Martinez’s players did not tremble in the face of the modest 105th nation in the world despite the injury absences of some executives such as Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, or Michy Batshuayi. This precious success allows the Belgians to consolidate their lead at the top of Group E ahead of Wales. They continue their ascent by qualifying for the fifth consecutive time in a final phase of a major tournament.
Croatia
The latest to qualify for Qatar are Zlatko Dalić’s Croats. Croatia struggled to overcome Russia (1-0) this Sunday in Split, thus securing first place in Group H. Dominated during the vast majority of the match, the unhappy finalist of the previous world saw his salvation come of a goal against his own camp by Fyodor Koudriachov at the end of the match.
The reigning vice-world champion will play its sixth World Cup. Luka Modric’s partners reached the semi-finals in 1998 and the final in 2018, stumbling each time against the France team.
Serbia
At the cost of a resounding feat in Portugal (1-2), Serbia composted its ticket for the 2022 World Cup. Already present in 2018, Serbia offers itself a direct ticket for Qatar thanks to its first victory as a nation against Portugal. A victory acquired at the very end of the match in Lisbon, in the decisive clash of Group A against the Portuguese of Cristiano Ronaldo, who will therefore stretch this mixed campaign until the play-offs. For Serbia, on the other hand, it is a deserved qualification after a campaign where the selection remained undefeated (6 wins, 2 draws).
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Spain
Without shining, Spain provided the essentials by landing a direct trip to Qatar. La Roja, who had his destiny in his hands, did the bare minimum by winning their last two matches in Greece and then against Sweden 1-0. Ballot by the Swedes in Seville, the Spaniards finally forced the decision thanks to the achievement of Morata at the end of the match (86th). The high point of a qualifying campaign dominated without glory but ended in first place, ahead of Sweden.
They will go through the dams
Crucified at the very end of the match by Serbia, Portugal will therefore go through the play-offs. A serious shadow on the board for the 2016 European champion, never sovereign in a Group A of which he was the scarecrow. The Lusitanians will know the identity of their opponent on November 26, during a draw in Zurich. This opponent could be Sweden, which collapsed late in qualifying in Group B, finished second behind Spain. It could also be Scotland, already assured of their convincing second place in Group F behind the ruthless Denmark, thanks to five straight victories.
The dams in the Euro zone will allocate three tickets to the twelve teams gathered in a mini tournament at the end of March. To the ten teams qualified as second in the group will be added two additional teams selected on the basis of the general classification of the last League of Nations.
In the Africa zone, the roadblocks involving the five tickets reserved for African contenders are starting to emerge. Already present in 2018, Senegal sees a second qualification in a row after having largely dominated its qualifying group with five wins and one draw. The Teranga Lions could challenge Ghana, who won the final match against South Africa in Group G (1-0). A similar scenario to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which passed Benin in extremis thanks to its victory against its main opponent (2-0). The ten group winners will compete for tickets to Qatar.
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