Topic: 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar - UEFA Qualifiers - page 276. (Read 35015 times)
Still almost 4 months to go for the start of the qualifying tournament, so it will be a bit premature to talk about the betting odds. A total of 13 slots are available, but some of the major teams are placed in tough groups. For example, Sweden, Greece and Spain are placed in Group B (third placed team won't be able to qualify). As mentioned by the OP, group E is perhaps the toughest (Belgium, Wales, Czechia). Group H is also very strong, with Croatia, Slovakia and Russia being included in that group. Another tough group is Group J, which have Germany, Romania and Iceland.
I believe 2022 world Cup qualifiers game will be full of surprises as some expected team won't make it to Qatar, don't be surprise if you see some favorite team failing to secure the ticket to Qatar. It will definitely be a very tight and interesting tournament to watch.
World Cup qualifiers is a bit more interesting thing than EURO qualifiers simply because less teams can qualify. And I think we may see few big teams failing to qualify - ruuner-ups of each group won't qualify directly, they will have to play in playoffs.
H group teams were drawn according to colors of flags. Just look at flags of Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia
.
For us (Lithuania) group is not great, not terrible. In best scenario we can fight for 3rd place, but we can also end with 0 points in the group.
H group teams were drawn according to colors of flags. Just look at flags of Russia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Croatia
.For us (Lithuania) group is not great, not terrible. In best scenario we can fight for 3rd place, but we can also end with 0 points in the group
. 
I'm not sure yet who has drawn the most heavily. All top countries were already in poule 1. The Netherlands was missing at the last World Cup and European Championship.
They now have a nice team. Just the attack isn't that impressive at the moment. France seems to me to be the favorite for the title. Germany initially too, but that 6-0? had been a hard punch from Spain.
They now have a nice team. Just the attack isn't that impressive at the moment. France seems to me to be the favorite for the title. Germany initially too, but that 6-0? had been a hard punch from Spain.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)#/media/File:UEFA_Euro_2016_qualifying.png
The Groups
The draw for the UEFA World Cup Qualifying stages took place in Zurich today. These are the groups:
Source: https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0264-1108c702e548-758110ebe57c-1000/draw_result_sheet.pdf
The Format
The 10 group winners will have secured their ticket to the "Winter World Cup" in Qatar in 2022. Second placed teams will advance to the Play-Offs and fight for three additional spots. The Play-Offs will feature 12 teams with Semi-Finals and Finals. Now one could wonder: There are only 10 groups and thus only 10 second placed teams, how can 12 teams participate ? This is where the very well liked UEFA Nations League will come into play, because the two best UNL group winners, who finished outside top two in their respective WC Qualifying group from above, will get these spots (source). And these are the group winners and their overall UNL rankings, which is important as well:
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
So lets say FRA & BEL Top2 in their groups, but ITA only finishes third in theirs. Then Italy would still go into PO via the UNL rule. Now it's very unlikely for the big nations to finish outside Top2, but for the smaller nations, this is a nice safety net and could also lead to nice betting opportunities. If we look at Group E and assume Belgium finishes Top2, then you have either Wales (and/or maybe Czech Republic) already having secured their PO spot and probably not caring about their last match(es) - if FRA/ITA/ESP finish Top2 in their groups as well.
Source: https://editorial.uefa.com/resources/0264-1108c702e548-758110ebe57c-1000/draw_result_sheet.pdf
The Schedule
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_qualification_(UEFA)
Still some days to go, lets see, if around that time there will already be (more) spectators
Don't see any of the big teams struggling to finish in top two places in their group. If I had to pick one, it would probably be Italy with Switzerland/Northern Ireland in the group, who both can be tough to beat. Netherlands have some problems from time to time, but Turkey/Norway too weak in the end I guess. Groups F and H look pretty interesting.
Happy discussing and good luck with your bets
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