New DelhiFor the first time in history, 48 teams will compete in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The global footballing extravaganza will feature teams from all seven continents for the first time. A number of teams from the 2022 edition will also be absent, and reigning champions Argentina will be looking to reclaim their championship.
There will be 104 matches spread across 16 cities when the tournament begins on June 11. Including the knockout stages and the final on July 19 at New Jersey Stadium, the USA will host an incredible 78 games. Canada and Mexico, the other two hosts, will each host thirteen games, most of which will be in the group stage.
When the tournament schedule was revealed, 43 teams had already been confirmed. Four more spots were filled on Tuesday as the UEFA Qualifiers came to an end.
What took place in the finals of the UEFA Qualifiers?Italy lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1 in the penalty shootout, extending their wait to compete in the FIFA World Cup since 2014. They will be the first former champions to miss the World Cup for three consecutive years. Robert Lewandowski supporters were devastated when Sweden defeated Poland 3-2 thanks to a goal from Viktor Gyökeres in the 88th minute. Sweden advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2018 World Cup but was not selected for the 2022 tournament in Qatar. While Czechia shocked Denmark 3-1 in the penalty shootout to earn a spot in the World Cup, Turkiye defeated Kosovo 1-0 to guarantee their spot.
Bolivia or Iraq will be the final team to earn a spot in the FIFA World Cup.The winner of the Inter-Confederation playoff between Bolivia and Iraq will guarantee the final spot in the FIFA World Cup. Along with France, Senegal, and Norway, one of the two teams will be placed in Group I.
FIFA World Cup Qualified Teams and TeamsGroup A: Czechia, South Korea, South Africa, and MexicoGroup B: Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, and QatarGroup C: Scotland, Morocco, Haiti, and BrazilGroup D: The United States, Paraguay, Australia, and TurkeyGermany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador are in Group E.Group F: Japan, the Netherlands, Sweden, and TunisiaBelgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand are in Group G.Group H: Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Cape VerdeGroup I: Senegal, France, Norway, and Iraq/BoliviaGroup J: Jordan, Algeria, Argentina, and AustriaGroup K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the CongoGroup L: Ghana, Panama, Croatia, and EnglandAdditionally, read