World Cup 2022: Who has already qualified, who will compete in the play-offs, and who may yet make it to Qatar

With only a few days until the 2022 World Cup draw, qualification throughout the world is coming to a close.

Twenty of the 32 available berths in Qatar have already been chosen, and more will be added once play-off matches are finished and the tournament begins to take form.

While many of the regular suspects will be on the largest stage at the end of the year, there will be a few noteworthy exclusions. North Macedonia destroyed Italy’s World Cup hopes, while Mohamed Salah and Egypt will not be going after losing on penalties to Senegal.

Here are all of the teams who have qualified thus far, as well as those that may be joining them in the near future.

As is customary, the World Cup hosts do not have to bother about qualifying and are guaranteed a place in the event. Qatar won the Asia Cup for the first time in 2019, and this will be the country’s first World Cup debut.

UEFA:

Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium, Croatia, Spain, Serbia, England, Switzerland, Netherlands, Portugal, Poland

Ten of the 13 World Cup spots open to European teams have already been chosen.

Those were awarded to the qualifying group winners. Germany and Denmark were the first teams to qualify for Qatar, with 27 points out of a possible 30, while Serbia, Switzerland, France, Belgium, and England were all unbeaten in qualification.

The remaining three places are decided by the play-offs. Portugal beat North Macedonia to book their place in Qatar, while Poland got the better of Sweden in another play-off final. Scotland and Ukraine’s semi-final has been postponed and scheduled for June, due to the Russian invasion. Wales await the winner in the final after seeing off Austria.

Italy were beaten by North Macedonia in their play-off semi final, and so the current European Championship holders will not be at the World Cup.

CONMEBOL: Brazil, Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay

Qualifying in South American is notoriously tricky, but the top four have been decided even though all the fixtures have not yet been played.

Brazil and Argentina still have to face each other, but it is already certain that they will finish first and second, respectively. So far in qualifying, no team has lost a game.

Uruguay has risen above Ecuador to third place, but neither can be caught, and so both have qualified for the World Cup at the end of the year.

Peru defeated Paraguay to finish fifth and go to an inter-confederation play-off with Australia.

CAF:

Ghana, Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon

The five African countries who will compete in the World Cup were determined on Tuesday night, when the second legs of the play-off matches were held.

Nigeria were eliminated from the World Cup for the first time since 2006 when Thomas Partey’s goal knocked them out. Ghana qualified for their fourth World Cup on away goals.

Egypt led Senegal 1-0 after the first leg in Cairo, but were defeated on penalties in Dakar by Sadio Mane’s crucial spot-kick. Tunisia qualified with a goalless draw in the second leg against Mali, which was enough after they lead 1-0 after the first match.

AFC:

South Korea, Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia

CONCACAF:

Canada

OFC:

No sides yet qualified