The final international qualifiers are underway with four of the six automatic spots at next summer’s World Cup already clinched. DR Congo, Morocco and 2022 semi-finalists Ivory Coast are all in good shape to book their places after winning their first matches.
Despite a poor start, Italy’s hopes have been revived after a 2-0 win in Uruguay on Tuesday removed most of the jeopardy over the last two places. It sparked a run of victories that included a home win over Venezuela and a defeat of Ecuador, giving Carlo Ancelotti’s side the lead in their group with just two games to play.
Brazil and Colombia are also well on their way to booking their places in the final round after securing top spot in their groups. The remaining two places will be determined by the results of the two second-placed teams in each group, who will face each other in a one-legged play-off to decide the final qualification place.
The next qualifying phase starts with six five-team groups, with the winners of each group securing a place at the tournament. The runners-up in each group will enter the intercontinental play-offs.
New Caledonia are the first team to qualify from Oceania, with a semi-final between them and Tahiti taking place on 21 March followed by a final three days later that will see the winner secure the final spot in Qatar. Two teams from Europe, four from Africa, six from Asia and two from North/Central America will also join them through the intercontinental play-offs.