FIFA 2022 World Cup (Qualification)

Great draw it has to be said. I'd like to see Scotland vs Wales, Poland vs Sweden, and Italy vs Portugal. May not get any of them as play-offs can always spring a surprise.

That Mitrovic goal could prove massively damaging for Portugal.

Turkey will give it loads, and if Portugal think they just have to turn up they will be in for a long night.

To be honest be better for the competition if both Italy and Portugal could get through with the quality of football they both play. Hope its Wales and Italy that get through

So could be two world cups in a row without Italy despite winning the European champions in between. Funny how Scotland could meet Austria in the play offs after they were in the same qualifying group.

Disaster for AFC (which is shaping up to be either Australia or Japan)

I don't see Egypt beating any of those sides. They have already lost to Nigeria in AfCon

This Ecuador/Brazil match has been very dramatic. Brazil with the early lead via Casemiro. Ecuador then had their keeper sent off shortly afterwards for a dangerous challenge. Brazil's Emerson Royal was then given a red card. Alisson then got a straight red for a high boot but that's been downgraded to yellow after a VAR review. Only half an hour played.

1-1. Ecuador equalise with 15 minutes to go. Great noise in the stadium.

Ecuador penalty. More drama in the dying seconds as Alisson concedes a pen and gets a second yellow. Ref asked to check it by VAR once again. Alisson got a reprieve earlier and he might get another one. Yep. Penalty and red card overturned which is the correct call. This ref has got most of the big decisions wrong on his own.

It ends 1-1. Ecuador fans not happy. Twice they thought Alisson was sent off only for two reprieves and twice they thought they had pens only for both to be overturned. Think the VAR calls were correct in the end. Should be a good point for Ecuador who look good to qualify.

Australia really blew it. They conceded a late equaliser to our old friends Oman in the 89th minute and they play the two top teams, Japan and Saudi Arabia, in their final games and now probably have to beat both to avoid the play-off route.

Saw highlights of the Japan win over the Saudis and there was a very nice goal from Ito.

Looks like the Saudis will still qualify as they have to face China. The game next month between Australia and Japan is going to be the important one. I'd like to see Japan make the tournament.

Chile have three stars to thanks for last night's victory : Alexis Sanchez (double strike), Bryan Cortes (8 saves) and Alexis Herrera, the referee who was fairly chronic last night. He has reffed Bolivia 4 times and they've never won. He let Chile, who looked like a template for Atletico Madrid, away with every single time-wasting tactic - and in a cliched move, booked the goalkeeper in the 95th minute! The pitch was chronic and Bolivia has 10 shots on target, but the goalkeeper did his job. Chile are still in the last chance saloon, as their last two games are against Brazil and Uruguay. Brazil are already qualified, so might they ease off? La Celeste on the other hand, are 3 points ahead of Chile, but face Peru in their next game. Peru currently occupy the place that Chile are chasing. Peru's final game is at home to Paraguay and they will need a win there to possibly hang onto 5th. Paraguay, though, are the draw merchants, so nothing is guaranteed. These games are all at the end of March, and should be fascinating.

The fifth team here should be stronger than any of the potential opponents, I think.

Only copped that Canada beat USA a few days ago. What a run of form they're on. Just watched the highlights and the place went nuts when they got their 2nd goal right at the end. Alphonso Davies not in the squad either - injured I assume?

Ok, cheers. They would've been sickened to lose him for that game of all games but didn't need him it seems! Would love to see them at the WC, looks very much likely now.

Four get two match ban for Argentina.

Russia will be expelled

The problem would be at the World Cup itself, if Russia were in a group with 3 other countries that said they wouldn't play them.

Then that would be something.

this has happened now.

russia will be expelled in the coming week.

the idea that FIFA are going to bat for Putin is so absurd it’s insulting to hear it. FIFA don’t want Russia next to near the World Cup as it damages the brand.

They awarded the world cup to Russia when they were not the strongest candidate. Then they gave it to Qatar who maybe the least suitable candidate there has ever been.

Their brand is beyond damaged and infantino is no better than Blatter

And now they want Russia to play under a different name etc., just like their athletes......

Getting really desperate now.

Interfere with the national football association. That's a ban.

Invade a sovereign state. You can still play, just change your name.

Like the bar is already low for FIFA, and they've precedents in years past. They're so compromised, and not fit for purpose.

Interesting to see what they do with that section of the draw.

a. Replace Russia with another team but who? 3rd in the Russia group, next Nations League team, best performing team who didn't qualify? And if they replace them does that team inherit Russia's spot of a home semi-final and a potential home final?

b. Give Poland a bye to what would be a home final against the winner of two teams who'd played 4 days earlier. Probably the most likely though.

c. Turkey could point out that they are now the 6th highest ranked team and therefore should be seeded, and suggest a re-draw. From their point of view it's worth a speculative shot as their current path means they have to get past Portugal (away) and then likely Italy at home.