Qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is reaching its conclusion, as countries compete to fill the remaining spots in this year’s showcase on the sport’s greatest stage.
The competition, which will be held from Nov. 21-Dec. 18, 2022, will be the last 32-team edition before the 2026 World Cup across North America expands to 48 teams. Qatar secured its berth way back in December 2010, when it was awarded the right to host the competition after a bid process that has since been shrouded in controversy. In terms of allocation of the other berths, 13 spots go to Europe, five go to Africa, four and a half go to both Asia and South America, three and a half go to North and Central America and the Caribbean, and half to the Oceania region. Those “half” spots earned by teams send them to a pair of intercontinental playoffs for the last two places in the field. It was determined on Nov. 26 which regions will be paired for the playoffs, whose format has changed.
Another wrinkle to qualifying is the expulsion of Russia due to its nation’s invasion of Ukraine. The 2018 World Cup hosts were due to take part in UEFA’s playoff round for Europe’s three final berths, but a FIFA and UEFA ban removes them from contention. Ukraine is also part of the playoff process but had its request for a postponement of its playoff granted and won’t play until June.
