Ten of UEFA’s thirteen places at the 2022 Men’s World Cup have been claimed, as the UEFA group phase of qualifiers came to an end on TUE 16 NOV 2021. Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, and Switzerland finished atop their groups and qualified for the final tournament, whilst twelve other teams will take part in the playoffs.

Germany and Denmark secured qualification with a month to spare. Germany won nine of ten matches in Group J, and Denmark did the same in Group F, with a loss to Scotland their only blemish.

Croatia, finalists in 2018, needed a final day victory against Russia to qualify. An own goal in the 81st minute secured top spot in Group H and forced Russia into the playoffs.

Switzerland edged Italy to first place in Group C with a convincing 4-0 win over Bulgaria. Italy mustered only a goalless draw against Northern Ireland and must survive the playoffs if they are to avoid missing two consecutive Men’s World Cups for the first time in their history.

Late goals from Steven BERGWIJN and Memphis DEPAY earned the Netherlands a place in Qatar as they defeated Norway 2-0. Turkey secured a 2-1 win over Montenegro to pip Norway to second place in Group G.

Along with the ten second placed teams, Austria and the Czech Rep also advance to the playoffs, as the two highest ranked group winners in the 2020-1 UEFA Men’s Nations League who failed to finish first or second in their qualifying group.

The draw for the playoffs will be held on FRI 26 NOV 2021. The twelve participants will be drawn into three paths, each containing four teams. The teams will play two elimination rounds, each as a single match, to decide UEFA’s last three places at the 2022 Men’s World Cup.

• Qualified: Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland
• Advance to playoffs: Austria, Czech Rep, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, Wales
• Eliminated: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Faroe Is, Finland, Georgia, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland Rep, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, N Ireland, Norway, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia