KEIR RADNEDGE in SWITZERLAND: European champions Italy or their predecessors, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, will not reach next year’s World Cup finals.

The two European giants, both upset to finish as only runners-up in their European qualfying groups, have been drawn in the same playoff pathway semi-finals next March.

Italy are home to North Macedonia in the single-leg semi for the right to play Portugal or Turkey in their final.

If both advance then Portugal would have home advantage.

Failure to advance would be a major blow for four-time World Cup winners Italy, who did not qualify for the 2018 edition – the first time they missed out on qualification in 60 years.

Manager Roberto Mancini, said: “It’s a very difficult draw for us. North Macedonia is a very good team, and if we win we have to play away.

“It could have been a little better, for sure. We are confident and positive, especially in the more difficult moments.

“As we would have gladly avoided Portugal, probably they too would have avoided us. We will have to play a great match against North Macedonia, then we will see in the final.”

Failure to qualify for Portugal could mean 36-year-old Ronaldo has played at his last World Cup.

Elsewhere Robert Lewandowski’s Poland could face Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden in a play-off final if they beat Russia and Czech Republic respectively.

Scotland have been drawn against Ukraine in their sector while Wales will host Austria. The winners of the Wales-Austria game will host the winners of Scotland or Ukraine.

Wales are bidding to reach their first World Cup in 64 years, while Scotland have waited 24 years to play in one.

Wales, who have only played at the 1958 World Cup, last faced Austria in a World Cup qualifier in September 2017 when Ben Woodburn scored the only goal on his debut.

Austria are in the play-offs courtesy of winning their Nations League group ahead of Norway, Romania and Northern Ireland.

Wales manager Robert Page, said: “We’ve worked ever so hard to finish second and get that home draw. “We’ve got everything to play for.”

Scotland ‘s will have to defeat a Ukraine side who were unbeaten in their qualifying group as they finished runners-up behind France, having drawn twice with the world champions.The side managed by Oleksandr Petrakov are currently ranked 25th in the world, 13 places above the Scots.

Full World Cup play-offs semi-final draw:

Scotland v Ukraine

Wales v Austria

Russia v Poland

Sweden v Czech Republic

Portugal v Turkey

Italy v North Macedonia

World Cup play-offs final draw

Wales or Austria v Scotland or Ukraine

Russia v Poland v Sweden or Czech Republic

Portugal or Turkey v Italy or North Macedonia

When are the World Cup play-offs?

Play-off semi-finals: Thursday March 24 2022

Play-off finals: Tuesday March 29 2022

Qatar on host duty

The intercontinental play-off draw matched has determined the confederation pairings in the contest for the last two spots at football’s flagship global event:

AFC Team v. CONMEBOL Team

Concacaf Team v. OFC Team

With the aim of continuing to test operations ahead of the finals, FIFA has confirmed Qatar as the neutral venue for the intercontinental play-off matches, which will be played at one of the tournament venues featuring the country’s cooling system on June 13 and 14.

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