Scotland and Wales have each been handed residence ties within the World Cup playoffs, with Scotland internet hosting Euro 2022 quarter finalists Austria and Wales going through fellow playoff debutants Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ought to Scotland progress to spherical two of the playoffs, they’ll host the Republic of Eire – who reached the World Cup playoffs for the primary time of their historical past earlier in September – and if Wales get the higher of Bosnia and Herzegovina, they’ll journey to Switzerland.
Portugal in opposition to Belgium completes the lineup for the primary spherical of playoff fixtures. The winner will face Iceland at residence in spherical two.
The one-legged playoff fixtures will happen on 6 October 2022.
Wales secured a World Cup playoff spot for the primary time of their historical past because of a 0-0 draw with Slovenia of their last group recreation. Gemma Grainger’s aspect completed second in Group I behind France. They’ll face a Bosnia and Herzegovina aspect who’re additionally seeking to attain the World Cup for the very first time.
Scotland certified for the World Cup for the primary time in 2019, however missed out on a spot at Euro 2022. Pedro Martinez Losa’s aspect secured their playoff place again in June because of victory over Ukraine, ending as Group B runners up behind Spain. They’ll face a troublesome activity in opposition to an Austria aspect who impressed with their defensive resilience at Euro 2022.
The three victorious sides from the primary spherical of playoffs will progress to an extra one-legged playoff on 11 October, and will probably be joined by the three greatest runners up from the group phases of qualifying: Iceland, Republic of Eire and Switzerland.
Of the three winners from the second spherical of playoff fixtures, the most effective two ranked sides – decided by efficiency in qualifying and the second playoff – will qualify for the 2023 World Cup.
The third-ranked European playoff winner will enter the inter-confederation playoffs, alongside Chinese language Taipei, Thailand, Cameroon, Senegal, Haiti, Panama, Chile, Paraguay and Papua New Guinea. Three of the ten groups from the playoff event will qualify for the 2023 World Cup. The inter-confederation playoffs happen from 18 to 23 February 2023.
The 2023 World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand between 20 July and 20 August.
