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Italy and Portugal could face off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn in the same playoffs bracket. Fernando Santos and Roberto Mancini's men both finished second in their qualifying groups, behind Switzerland and Serbia respectively.
Italy will host North Macedonia at home in a playoff semifinal next March. The winner will play away at either Portugal or Turkey for a spot in the World Cup. The draw means that one of the last two European Championship winners will not be at the next World Cup. Portugal won the Euro 2016 title, while Italy was crowned winners of the 2021 Euro Championship.
'It's not a great draw': Italy boss Roberto Mancini
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, losing in the playoffs to Sweden. They will now look to beat Portugal and make it big at the 2022 FIFA World cup. Portugal, on the other hand, has featured at every major championship since missing out on the 1998 World Cup.
“It's a very difficult draw for us. North Macedonia is a very good team, and if we win we have to play away,” said Italy coach Roberto Mancini.
“It's the important match to go through to the final and to win it. We now have to prepare well to be at a good level in March. Sometimes they (Turkey) play well, other times not. They're a team that always presents difficulties, but I'm totally convinced that we'll be going to the World Cup,” said Portugal coach Fernando Santos
In the 12-team draw, Scotland will face Ukraine at home. The winner will face Wales or Austria away in the final of their bracket. On the other hand, Russia will host Poland for the right to face Sweden or the Czech Republic in their final bracket. Russia or Poland will host the final.
FIFA World Cup
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