Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have finished second in their World Cup qualifying group.
A defeat to Serbia means Ronaldo and Portugal must go through the play-offs.
When are the play-offs played?
The play-offs will take place early next year between March 24 and March 29.
It means Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot will play crucial games at what could be a critical point in Manchester United’s season.
The draw for the play-offs will take place on Friday November 26 at 4pm.
How do the play-offs work?
There will be 12 total teams in the play-offs. These are made up of 10 teams who finished second in their group, plus two top ranked teams from the UEFA Nations League who have not yet qualified.
There will be three groups, each with a one-off semi-final and a final.
Just three teams from the 12 will make the World Cup. That makes Portugal’s defeat to Serbia potentially a very costly one.
Who could Portugal face?
Joining Portugal in the play-offs are Victor Lindelof’s Sweden, who lost to Spain and finished second in their group.
Scotland, North Macedonia, Poland and Russia are also into the play-offs after they secured second spot in their groups.
Italy have also fallen into the play-offs, although seeding means Portugal are unlikely to face them at the semi-final stage.
Wales, Ukraine, and Turkey confirmed their play-off spots on Tuesday night.
Austria and Czech Republic qualified for the play-offs via UEFA Nations League standings.
The 12 play-off teams: Portugal, Italy, Poland, Scotland, North Macedonia, Russia, Wales, Turkey, Ukraine, Sweden, Austria, Czech Republic.
The following six teams are seeded for the draw: Portugal, Italy, Scotland, Russia, Sweden, Wales; and can’t be drawn against each other at the semi-final stage. Seedings were determined by qualification points gained.
Qatar World Cup 2022 Key Dates
- Premier League break
Club football will pause after the weekend of November 12-13. As many as 16 league games will have been played, with the season kicking off on August 6.
- Opening game
The opening game of the 2022 World Cup will take place on Monday November 21.
- The final
The 2022 World Cup final will be played on Sunday December 18.
- Premier League resumes
The Premier League resumes on Boxing Day, December 26th, with the season finishing on May 28.
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