It may be a bit early to start thinking about Qatar 2022 but the Uefa qualifying competition begins in just over 12 months’ time, with the draw for the 10 groups that will form the core qualification path set to take place in November this year… just over four months after Wales’ quest for glory at Euro 2020 finishes.
A total of 13 slots are available for Uefa teams in Qatar 2022, with the qualification process also depending, in part, on results from the 2020-21 Nations League, although to a lesser degree than for Euro 2020.
The core structure will maintain the usual group stage and play-off format, with only the specific format of the play-offs being amended.
The group stage will consist of 10 pools of five or six teams, with the four teams that qualify for the 2021 Nations League finals put into the smaller groups. The draw for the groups will take place on 29 November this year.
The 10 group winners will automatically qualify for the World Cup finals, with the 10 runners-up and two best Nations League group winners, based on the overall ranking of sides that have not directly qualified or reached the play-offs.
These 12 teams will be drawn into three play-off paths, playing two rounds of single-match play-offs (semi-finals and finals). The three path winners will qualify for the World Cup.
All 55 Fifa-affiliated national teams from Uefa will enter qualification, but Russia are subject to a World Anti-Doping Agency ban from all major sporting events that could prevent them from taking part in the finals tournament. The Wada ban only applies to the final tournament, but if Russia were to qualify they could still potentially compete at the tournament pending a decision from Fifa. However, a team representing Russia which uses the Russian flag and anthem cannot participate under the Wada ruling, although that decision is pending appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
European Qualififying Schedule For Qatar 2022
Group stage
Matchday 1: 25-27 March 2021
Matchday 2: 28-30 March 2021
Matchday 3: 4-5 June 2021
Matchday 4: 7-8 June 2021
Matchday 5: 2-4 September 2021
Matchday 6: 5-7 September 2021
Matchday 7: 7-9 October 2021
Matchday 8: 10-12 October 2021
Matchday 9: 11-13 November 2021
Matchday 10: 14-16 November 2021
Play-offs: Semi-finals, 24-25 March 2022
Play-offs: Finals, 28-29 March 2022
