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Asia’s representative in the FIFA World Cup Intercontinental Playoff will have to navigate past a CONMEBOL side if the continent is to have a historic sixth representative in Qatar 2022.
The second Intercontinental Playoff following Friday’s draw at FIFA’s headquarters in Zurich will see CONCACAF squaring off against Oceania to earn a place in Qatar 2022.
The two Intercontinental Playoffs will be single-leg ties and will take place on June 13 and 14, 2022.
Four of the continent’s representatives will earn automatic slots to the Finals, with the top two teams from Groups A and B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar to advance.
The two third-placed sides will square off in an Asian Playoff, with the winners to advance to the Intercontinental Playoff.
Australia defeated Syria in the Asian Playoff for Russia 2018, before going on to beat Honduras to book their place in the Finals, which meant Asia was represented by a historic five teams.
Italy and Portugal, meanwhile, could meet for a place at Qatar 2022 after being drawn in the same playoff bracket in the European draw.
Reigning European champions Italy and Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal both finished second in their qualifying groups, behind Switzerland and Serbia respectively.
Italy will host North Macedonia in the playoff first round, with Turkey visiting Portugal, before the winners face off for a spot at next year’s Finals.
