By Izuchukwu Okosi
Join our WhatsApp ChannelEmotions ran high on Friday evening after it was confirmed that at least one of Italy or Portugal will miss the 2020 FIFA World Cup in Qatar following the draw that pits the European superpowers at the Playoffs to hold in March 2022 reports Prime Business Africa.
Current European champions Italy and Portugal whom they usurped at the European tournament will be involved in Path C of the playoffs with Italy first hosting North Macedonia on March 24 while Portugal entertain Turkey.
Should the draw go according to script and both Italy and Portugal ease past their initial opponents, they will face each other for the sole ticket from Path C five days later.
Only three teams from Paths A to C will qualify from the playoffs to the World Cup.
In Path A, there is a possibility of an all British final as Wales host Austria and Scotland face Ukraine in the semifinals playoffs.
The final will be played in Cardiff or Vienna.
In Group B it is Russia against Poland and Sweden taking on Czech Republic meaning that there is likelihood of Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic clashing for the sole ticket from Group B.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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