FIFA 2022 World Cup (Qualification)

citytillidie

UEFA World Cup Qualifying Draw
Group A
Portugal
Serbia
Ireland
Luxembourg
Azerbaijan

Group B
Spain
Sweden
Greece
Georgia
Kosovo

Group C
Italy
Switzerland
Northern Ireland
Bulgaria
Lithuania

Group D
France
Ukraine
Finland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kazakhstan

Group E
Belgium
Wales
Czech Republic
Belarus
Estonia

Group F
Denmark
Austria
Scotland
Israel
Faroe Islands
Moldova

Group G
Netherlands
Turkey
Norway
Montenegro
Latvia
Gibraltar

Group H
Croatia
Slovakia
Russia
Slovenia
Cyprus
Malta

Group I
England
Poland
Hungary
Albania
Andorra
San Marino

Group J
Germany
Romania
Iceland
North Macedonia
Armenia
Liechtenstein

March 2021 - Match Days 1-3
September 2021 - Match Days 4-6
October 2021 - Match Days 7&8
November 2021 - Match Days 9&10
March 2022 - Playoffs

Dillonb3

citytillidie wrote: »

UEFA World Cup Qualifying Draw
Group A
Portugal
Serbia
Ireland
Luxembourg
Azerbaijan

Group B
Spain
Sweden
Greece
Georgia
Kosovo

Group C
Italy
Switzerland
Northern Ireland
Bulgaria
Lithuania

Group D
France
Ukraine
Finland
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kazakhstan

Group E
Belgium
Wales
Czech Republic
Belarus
Estonia

Group F
Denmark
Austria
Scotland
Israel
Faroe Islands
Moldova

Group G
Netherlands
Turkey
Norway
Montenegro
Latvia
Gibraltar

Group H
Croatia
Slovakia
Russia
Slovenia
Cyprus
Malta

Group I
England
Poland
Hungary
Albania
Andorra
San Marino

Group J
Germany
Romania
Iceland
North Macedonia
Armenia
Liechtenstein

March 2021 - Match Days 1-3
September 2021 - Match Days 4-6
October 2021 - Match Days 7&8
November 2021 - Match Days 9&10
March 2022 - Playoffs

England with another handy qualifying group

Mr.Nice Guy

No obvious Group of Death. I think Group D looks very tough. Group H will be a big Eastern European scrap.

I reckon Scotland got a decent draw. Not sure they'll get second but I can see them being competitive. Wales have a fairly tricky one, and I'd question how much Bale has got left to offer. Maybe they'll have just enough to get a play-off spot.

Think the two teams from this island have it tough, but NI got trickier Pot 4 and 5 teams than us. England should qualify.

Tchaikovsky

roverjoyce wrote: »

You'd be happy with that,
Its a play off with Serbia for second - they are no world beaters if Scotland could beat them

Well they drew with them technically. No penalty shoot outs for a while at least!

Tchaikovsky

It's maddening how England always get the easiest group. Granted they're always top seeds so it's gonna be manageable, but getting Albania, Andorra and San Marino in a 6 team group is incredible.

DubDani

To be fair, Germany doesn't have it much more difficult with North Macedonia, Armenia & Liechtenstein. Add to that Romania & Iceland who have both been very poor in the last 2 years and I can see them easily making a clean sweep of that group, whereby England might tangle a bit with Poland.

Tchaikovsky

England used to draw Poland more often than we've been getting Georgia so there's a retro element to that pairing.

Coillte_Bhoy

Any idea when dates and fixtures announced?

Zebra3

As good as it could get for Ireland.

Liam O

Tchaikovsky wrote: »

It's maddening how England always get the easiest group. Granted they're always top seeds so it's gonna be manageable, but getting Albania, Andorra and San Marino in a 6 team group is incredible.

They could have a group of pot 2s and make it through at a canter tbh.

ERG89

Outside of Portugal its not a strong group at all but I still expect us to struggle a lot, with those last few match days happening over just a few months it could be over very fast depending on how the fixtures fall.

Liam O

ERG89 wrote: »

Outside of Portugal its not a strong group at all but I still expect us to struggle a lot, with those last few match days happening over just a few months it could be over very fast depending on how the fixtures fall.

Kenny's objective is to have us be able to beat the Azerbaijans and Luxembourgs of the world without much fuss. I hope by the time they rock around we'll be in a position to do just that.

Go out to beat Serbia at home and hope we get something away. Realistically we're going to get pummeled by Portugal who have a lot of good players in and around their team now, more than ever I'd say which is saying something. Maybe their defense can be gotten at but this is Ireland we're talking about...

Weepsie

Hammering Luxembourg and Azerbaijan would be great. 4 points v Serbia and even a point against Portugal would be good return, better yet if we have some goals and good football.

I've absolutely zero interest in the Qatar world cup though. Ill get pulled into watching it, I know I will, but as it is, its still a completely absurd decision to go there anyway so I won't mind if we don't qualify but are set up for the next few tournaments beyond that.


The team that came close in 1999 to topping a group then went onto to qualify for 2002, and arguably should've done more.

I'd take good football, some good results and some hurt if it means that we are on target for the next 5 tournaments after

citytillidie

AFC
Match Day 7a
March 25th
Group F
Tajikistan V Mongolia

March 30th
Group D
Saudi Arabia V Palestine

Group F
Mongolia V Japan

CONACAF First Round
Match Days 1 to 3
March 24th
Group A
Antigua and Barbuda V Montserrat

Group B
Suriname V Cayman Islands

Group C
Guatemala V Cuba

Group D
Dominican Republic V Dominica

Group F
Saint Kitts and Nevis V Puerto Rico

March 25th
Group A
El Salvador V Grenada

Group B
Canada V Bermuda

Group C
Curacao V Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Group D
Panama V Barbados

Group E
Haiti V Belize

Group F
Trinidad and Tobago V Guyana

March 27th
Group A
U.S. Virgin Islands V Antigua and Barbuda

Group B
Aruba V Suriname

Group C
British Virgin Islands V Guatemala

Group D
Anguilla V Bominican Republic

Group E
Turks and Caicos Islands V Nicaragua

Group F
Bahamas V Saint Kitts and Nevis

March 28th
Group A
Montserrat V El Salvador

Group B
Cayman Islands V Canada

Group C
Cuba V Curacao

Group D
Dominica V Panama

Group F
Puerto Rico V Trinidad and Tobago

March 30th
Group A
Grenada V U.S. Virgin Islands

Group B
Bermuda V Aruba

Group C
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines V British Virgin Islands

Group D
Barbados V Anguilla

Group E
Belize V Turks and Caicos Islands

Group F
Guyana V Bahamas

UEFA
Match Day 1
March 24th
Group A
Portugal V Azerbaijan (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button / Virgin Media Two
Serbia V Ireland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Football / RTE 2

Group D
Finland V Bosnia and Heragovina (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
France V Ukraine (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Group E
Belgium V Wales (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event / S4C
Estonia V Czech Republic (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group G
Turkey V Netherlands (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Football
Gibralter V Norway (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Latvia V Montenegro (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group H
Cyprus V Slovakia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Malta V Russia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Slovenia V Croatia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

March 25th
Group B
Spain V Greece (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Sweden V Georgia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group C
Bulgaria V Switzerlands (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Italy V Northern Ireland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Football

Group F
Israel V Denmark (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Football
Moldova V Faroe Islands (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Scotland V Austria (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Group I
Andorra V Albania (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
England V San Marino (19:45) - Live on ITV / Virgin Media Two
Hungary V Poland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group J
Germany V Iceland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Liechtenstein V Armenia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Romania V North Macedonia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Match Day 2
March 27th
Group A
Ireland V Luxembourg (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event / RTE 2
Serbia V Portugal (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button / Virgin Media Two

Group E
Belarus V Estonia (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Czech Republic V Belgium (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Football

Group G
Montenegro V Gibraltar (14:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Netherlands V latvia (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Football
Norway V Turkey (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group H
Russia V Slovenia (14:00) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Croatia V Cyprus (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Slovakia V Malta (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

March 28th
Group B
Georgia V Spain (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Kosovo V Sweden (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group C
Bulgaria V Italy (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Switzerland V Lithuania (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group D
Kazakhstan V France (14:00) - Live on Sky Sports Football
Ukraine V Finland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group F
Denmark V Moldova (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Austria V Faroe Islands (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Israel V Scotland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event / Virgin Media Two

Group I
Albania V England (17:00) - ITV / Virgin Media Two
Poland V Andorra (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
San Marino V Hungary (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group J
Armenia V Iceland (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
North Macedonia V Liechtenstein (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Romania V Germany (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League

Match Day 3
March 30th
Group A
Azerbaijan V Serbia (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event / Football / Virgin Media Two
Luxembourg V Portugal (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button / Virgin Media Two

Group E
Belgium V Belarus (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Wales V Czech Republic (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event / S4C

Group G
Gibraltar V Netherlands (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Montenegro V Norway (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Turkey V Latvia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group H
Cyprus V Slovenia (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Croatia V Malta (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Slovakia V Russia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

March 31st
Group B
Greece V Georgia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Spain V Kosovo (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group C
Lithuania V Italy (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Northern Ireland V Bulgaria (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Football

Group D
Bosnia and Herzegovina V France (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Ukraine V Kazakhstan (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group F
Austria V Denmark (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Moldova V Israel (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Scotland V Faroe Islands (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Main Event

Group I
Andorra V Hungary (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
England V Poland (19:45) - Live on ITV / Virgin Media Two
San Marino V Albania (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

Group J
Armenia V Romania (17:00) - Live on Sky Sports Premier League
Germany V North Macedonia (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button
Liectenstein V Iceland (19:45) - Live on Sky Sports Red Button

davycc

Dutch one goal in the early kickoff in Turkey..
Against the run of play
Slow motion deflection fools Tim cruel

davycc

3 nil now just after half time..

Another rocket past krul

davycc

Three two Dutch woke up some game

Guy:Incognito

davycc wrote: »

Three two Dutch woke up some game

4-2. Nice free kick

davycc

Rocket from yilmsz again direct free kick the Dutch are dead again

Mr.Nice Guy

Pleased for Yilmaz. He's having a great season for a chap nearly 36.

davycc

Delay pen saved in extra time. Great hands from the keeper kid

Guy:Incognito

Poor peno from Depay in the 93rd minute. Wouldnt have got them any points but a goal is a goal.

ongarite

Wales score a brilliant one touch counter attack goal to take lead against Belgium.

All_in_Flynn

I see Norway players held a small protest last night against the world cup being held in Qatar.

I personally am not looking forward to the competition. It's just all kinds of wrong that the world cup is being held there. There have been plenty of stories covering the human rights abuse that goes on in the country and that's before we even look at what's happening with the labour being used to build the stadiums.

I've always said to my friends when it came up that I don't think I could support United if they were ever bought by a member of the Saudi Royal Family etc. Now I do know that is somewhat contradictory in that there are sponsorship elements etc but you have to draw the line somewhere I suppose. I do own an iphone and I'm sure some of my clothes have been made in sweatshops.

This, to me, just feels so in your face. Even from the initial corruption that it won the vote in the first place.

Interesting to hear what others opinions on it is. I was watching the Ireland match last night and usually I'd be engrossed in the hope we could get a result but I don't know, I just didn't have the emotional investment I would usually have.

citytillidie

sugarman wrote: »

With goal difference used in World Cup qualifying rather than Head to Head for Euros, it could be the difference in qualifying or not. Especially in a group with Norway / Haaland!

Normal goal difference as in the Premier League not head to head like other leagues

In the league format, the ranking in each group is determined as follows:
a) greatest number of points obtained in all group matches;
b) goal difference in all group matches;
c) greatest number of goals scored in all group matches.
If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their
rankings shall be determined as follows:
d) greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the
teams concerned;
e) goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams
concerned;
f) greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams
concerned;
g) the goals scored away from home count double between the teams
concerned (if the tie is only between two teams);

https://resources.fifa.com/image/upload/fwc2022-preliminary-comp-web-en.pdf?cloudid=ytkbpnxyvcghx6bebesv

Tchaikovsky

Fair play to Norway. They seem to be the only country showing any balls to call out the utter travesty that's surrounded this World Cup host.

Agent Coulson

Well done to the Norway players



Fifa takes no action over Norway protest as FA voices Qatar concerns
Norway players championed human rights in Qatar
FA sees ‘much more to be done’ over migrant workers

Norway’s players will not be penalised by Fifa for championing human rights in Qatar. Confirmation emerged as the English Football Association indicated a need for greater action from the World Cup hosts to protect migrant workers.

With qualifying for next year’s World Cup beginning in earnest, a growing number of European nations are speaking up about human rights concerns in Qatar.

Before playing Gibraltar on Wednesday night Erling Braut Haaland and his Norway teammates wore T-shirts that read “Human rights On and off the pitch”.

Laws of the game prevent players from using equipment that bears “any political, religious or personal slogans”, but on Thursday Fifa said they would be taking no action against the protest.

“Fifa believes in the freedom of speech, and in the power of football as a force for good,” a spokesperson for the governing body said. “No disciplinary proceedings in relation to this matter will be opened by Fifa.”

Football has begun to speak up on Qatar’s human rights record following a Guardian report that more than 6,500 migrant workers have died in the country over the past decade. This week Amnesty International warned of measures that could undermine recent improvements in workers’ rights in the country.

This month the Dutch FA said it would not boycot the tournament, in line with Amnesty’s recommendations, but would “use the current spotlight on the World Cup and make our own contribution to efforts to improve the plight of migrant workers in Qatar”.

On Thursday the English FA issued a statement saying it intended to engage with the tournament in a “socially responsible” manner and that there was “still much more to be done” on human rights in the country.......

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/mar/25/fifa-takes-no-action-over-norway-protest-as-fa-voices-qatar-concerns

Mr.Nice Guy

NI 2-0 down to Italy in Parma. I like the look of Italy's team. Nice to see Locatelli starting.

England cruising 3-0 against San Marino, unsurprisingly.

The_Kew_Tour

What is the Norway protest going to achieve?

Would it not be better to actually, well, not play?

I bet of they get there they be happy to play matches.

razorblunt

Jesse Lingard absolutely bulling for a goal here.
Must have a shît celebration lined up.

razorblunt

England have been awful this second half.

Mr.Nice Guy

McNair misses a sitter for NI. They've played well this half.

breezy1985

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What is the Norway protest going to achieve?

Would it not be better to actually, well, not play?

I bet of they get there they be happy to play matches.

More than the absolute nothing every other country done

Mr.Nice Guy

Surprised Greece managed a 1-1 draw in Spain.

Scotland get a 2-2 draw with Austria. Important that they didn't lose that. Nice acrobatics from John McGinn:

https://twitter.com/SkyFootball/status/1375198573642588166

The_Kew_Tour

Delighted for Super Mcginn

~Rebel~

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

What is the Norway protest going to achieve?

Would it not be better to actually, well, not play?

I bet of they get there they be happy to play matches.

The majority of Norwegian clubs - including big guns like Rosenborg - are demanding the national team boycott the WC if they qualify.

https://www.newstalk.com/sport/rosenborg-add-to-calls-for-norway-to-boycott-2022-qatar-world-cup-1160602

Their leading sports media outlets are doing the same. As a nation, they’re definitely taking it more seriously than anyone else anyway - will be an interesting story to follow. Second captains did a good podcast on it a few weeks back.

fyfe79

It will be very interesting to see what happens if Norway actually qualify. Put up or shut up time then! Will they give up their place? We can point at their clubs for creating the noise, but the players wore the t-shirts (and, assumedly the FA sanctioned it) so would be a tad hypocritical if they rocked up to Qatar regardless.

breezy1985

fyfe79 wrote: »

It will be very interesting to see what happens if Norway actually qualify. Put up or shut up time then! Will they give up their place? We can point at their clubs for creating the noise, but the players wore the t-shirts (and, assumedly the FA sanctioned it) so would be a tad hypocritical if they rocked up to Qatar regardless.

Have the FA or players called for a boycott of the tournament?

The T-shirts said nothing about a boycott or Qatar was there a statement made as well

fyfe79

The message on the t-shirts was clear. The players are not happy with the human rights record of Qatar. If you then choose to go to work in the same country regardless, aren't you just helping to perpetuate the situation?

breezy1985

fyfe79 wrote: »

The message on the t-shirts was clear. The players are not happy with the human rights record of Qatar. If you then choose to go to work in the same country regardless, aren't you just helping to perpetuate the situation?

But if they have not called for a boycott then it is not "put up or shut up time" as you said. They will not be going back on any promise.

I would love to see a boycott but not holding anyone to one they have not called for

fyfe79

Fair enough. In my opinion, wearing a t-shirt is a fairly empty gesture then. The hearts in the right place, sure, but ultimately pointless.

I'm paraphrasing here, but I'm reminded of the famous quote - "Great change comes from great sacrifice". Wearing a t-shirt isn't a sacrifice. Pulling out of the WC would be a big sacrifice for both the FA and the players.

dr.kenneth noisewater

fyfe79 wrote:

The message on the t-shirts was clear. The players are not happy with the human rights record of Qatar. If you then choose to go to work in the same country regardless, aren't you just helping to perpetuate the situation?

Clubs and fans have called for them to boycott it, theres an EGM later this year where it will discussed I think. Second Captains had a journalist on talking about it recently

Deeper Blue

The Norway/Turkey/Holland group is an intriguing one, especially with Turkey beating Holland the other night.

Big game this evening between Norway and Turkey.

Nunu

Turkey 1 nil up already

Mars Bar

Nerherlands with a load of chances so far but not hitting the net

Agent Coulson

Turkey 2 up now.

Holland 1 up.

Dillonb3

Turkey 3 nil up on Norway some start to their group. Holland badly need an out and out goalscorer wasting too many chances against Latvia

fyfe79

Portugal 1-0 up in Serbia. Jota.

Dillonb3

Bit of a surprise Malta beating Slovakia in Bratislava

edit 2 nil now. Some counter https://streamja.com/wa4Ol?fbclid=IwAR2CD_NoxKhscPO52yjTXzA-ELknGEtpZ1fs1E0NuKfIWPjlUfRticbbiQI

gormdubhgorm

Portugal seemed to have been done out of a last minute win v Serbia

It looked like the whole ball went over the line from Rondaldo, before the defender cleared it.

There was no VAR and the ref said - no goal.

Portuguese went mad.