5 Notable Teams who Could Fail to Qualify for the 2022 World Cup

Italy are currently the European champions having won Euro 2020 last summer, but, Roberto Mancini’s men are in danger of not qualifying for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The Azzuri massively underachieved in Group C, finishing as runners-up to Switzerland, having managed 16 points from eight games, having been paired with the likes of Lithuania, Bulgaria and Northern Ireland alongside the Swiss.

If Italy beat North Macedonia in the semi-finals of Path C then they will face a stern test against either Turkey or Portugal to qualify for the World Cup.

Prior to Mancini taking over his national side, they failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup having been defeated by Sweden in the play-offs, showing how unpredictable results can be in pressurised scenarios. It would be unfathomable for the four-time world champions to fail to qualify for back to back World Cups’.

Meanwhile, Euro 2016 winners Portugal are also in trouble heading into Path C’s semi-finals, as they must face Turkey, as well as one of North Macedonia or Italy in the final to qualify.

This will likely be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup if the 37-year-old qualifies, but, Fernando Santos’ men come into their semi-final against Turkey with some key absences, as Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Nelson Semedo, Renato Sanches and Ruben Neves are all out with injuries and viruses.

Like Italy, Portugal only have themselves to blame, as they finished second in Group A with 17 points from eight matches, three points behind Serbia in Group A, as well as ahead of the Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan.

Sweden’s positioning is more understandable than the former two mentioned nations, as they finished second in Group B, four points behind Spain, but ahead of Greece, Georgia and Kosovo.

Janne Andersson lead his side to the Round of 16 at Euro 2020 where they were beaten by Ukraine at Hampden Park. This is something that they will have to erase from their memories as they’ll face one of the outstanding sides of the European championship in the semi-finals of Path B in the Czech Republic, before taking on Poland in the final.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be desperate to help his side out and play what will likely be his last international tournament at Qatar at the age of 41-years-old. The AC Milan forward has scored 62 goals in 12o international matches.

Mexico also features on this list of sides that are struggling to qualify for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

Former Barcelona manager Gerardo Martino’s future as manager of Mexico could be in big danger, as his side currently trail Canada by four points with three matches to go and currently sit level with the US.

The Mexicans still have to face the likes of Jamaica, Costa Rica and the USA, of which they must get three positive results if they are to have the chance to maintain their record of qualifying for the World Cup Round of 16 in every competition since 1994.

With the likes of Hector Herrera, Hirving Lozano, Carlos Vela and Raul Jimenez all on their books, they would be a big miss if they fail to qualify, especially when you consider that they stunned Germany 1-0 in the 2018 World Cup, proving that they are an exciting side to watch.

The final team on this list is Uruguay who currently sit fourth in the South America World Cup qualifiers, having won just six of their 16 games so far.

Uruguay, who are two-time World Cup winners, emerging victorious in 1930 and 1950 have a whole host of talented individuals in their side, such as Jose Maria Gimenez, Federico Valverde, Edinson Cavani and Luis Suarez.

Diego Alonso’s side are fourth, just one point above Peru in fifth, as well as three points above Chile in sixth. Uruguay have to play both of the sides behind them meaning that there could be a grandstand finish if they are to qualify. The last time Uruguay failed to qualify for the World Cup was back in 2006.