Last 2 berths for Qatar 2022 to be decided after inter-confederation playoffs

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) - Peru will take on Australia on Monday, while Costa Rica will face New Zealand on Tuesday, with the winners taking the final two berths at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar this November.

Both international playoff clashes will be played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar which has a capacity of 50,000.

Australia, who aim to qualify for a fifth consecutive World Cup event, claimed a 2-1 win over the UAE to set up the playoff last weekend.

In the South America qualification (CONMEBOL), Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Ecuador secured qualifying berths, but Peru came fifth to miss out on an automatic spot.

The winner in Australia vs. Peru game will play against France, Denmark and Tunisia in Group D.

The Peruvians have played the World Cup five times (1930, 1970, 1978, 1982 and 2018).

Meanwhile, Costa Rica look to qualify for a third successive World Cup in the match against New Zealand.

Having the same points, Costa Rica finished behind the third-placed USA on goal difference in CONCACAF qualifiers.

The All-Whites qualified for the playoff round after a 5-0 win against Solomon Islands, keeping alive their dreams of a first World Cup group appearance in 12 years. Kiwis participated in 1982 and 2010 world cups.

The winners will take place in Group E against Spain, Germany, and Japan.

Qatar, in Pot 1 as the FIFA World Cup host nation, are set to face Ecuador in the opening game on Nov. 21.

The tournament is scheduled from Nov. 21 to Dec. 18 with 32 teams in eight groups.

- Qatar 2022 groups

Group A: Qatar (hosts), Ecuador, Senegal, the Netherlands

Group B: England, Iran, US, Wales

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Inter-confederation playoff winner 1 (Peru or Australia)

Group E: Spain, Germany, Japan, Inter-confederation playoff winner 2 (Costa Rica or New Zealand)

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea