Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will have to go through the playoffs if they wish to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are on the verge of locking heads with the Euro 2020 champions Italy in the World Cup qualifiers playoffs, which might be the ultimate test for them.
Portugal will be playing against Turkey and Italy will battle against North Macedonia in their respective playoff fixtures.
However, the winners of those games will face each other in a final showdown from Path C. And the nation that proves victory in all these matches will then qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
World Cup 2022 playoffs draw
| Path | Semi-finals |
| A | Scotland vs Ukraine |
| A | Wales vs Austria |
| B | Russia vs Poland |
| B | Sweden vs Czech Republic |
| C | Italy vs North Macedonia |
| C | Portugal vs Turkey |
Elsewhere, Scotland will go against Ukraine and Wales will face Austria in Path A, and their winners will then have a final war to qualify from this route.
And then, Sweden will take on Czech Republic, whereas Russia will have to beat Poland for a way to the next step which will take them to the major tournament next year.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini talked about the draw outcome as he said: “It’s a very difficult draw for us. Because North Macedonia is a good team and, if we win, we have to play away to Turkey or Portugal in the final. It’s very strong.”
If by chance Ronaldo and his mates will meet the Italians in the final of Path C, it would be a giant task to overcome, with the odds of it happening are pretty high.
When will the matches take place?
The semi-finals will be held on March 24 and 25 in 2022, while the finals set to happen on March 28 and 29.
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