UEFA has already defined its first 10 qualifiers and only the last three European tickets to Qatar 2022 remain to be delivered. The three tickets will be defined in three different keys. The semifinals of each of the three keys will be played on Thursday, March 24, while two of the three finals will be held on Tuesday, March 29.
In bracket 1 is Scotland against Ukraine, I find that it is suspended due to the war in Ukraine. Wales and Austria dispute the other semi-final.
Key 2 is made up of Russia against Poland. However, Russia was eliminated from the table due to its political conflict with Ukraine. Sweden against the Czech Republic is the other semi-final.
In bracket 3, the only one that was not affected by the current war in Ukraine, is Italy against North Macedonia, while Portugal faces Turkey.
Ukraine asked FIFA to postpone its match against Scotland from the beginning of the month due to Russia’s invasion of that country. Ukraine was second in Group D, behind only France. He was going to face Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow, but FIFA agreed to postpone that duel until June, when the intercontinental playoffs are played. The draw for the World Cup will be on Friday, April 1, without knowing the winners of the intercontinental playoffs and the winner of UEFA Key 1.
For its part, Russia appealed its elimination before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), but it did not lift the punishment. “The contested decision remains in force and all Russian teams and clubs remain suspended from participating in FIFA competitions. The TAS arbitration process continues,” the court said in a statement last Friday.
Here is the schedule and where you can follow the meeting (Los Angeles time):
Key 1:
Wales vs. Austria, 12:45 pm, ESPN+, PrendeTV
Key 2:
Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 12:45 pm, ESPN+, PrendeTV
Key 3:
Italy vs. Macedonia, 12:45 pm, ESPN +, PrendeTV
Portugal vs. Turkey, 12:45 pm, ESPN2, TUDN, FuboTV
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