FIFA 2022 World Cup Qualifiers: Top 4 European teams that could miss out on automatic qualification

The qualification campaign in Europe for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar is on in full swing. Four of them have already confirmed their places in the finals, with a round of games to go. With the last round of games in the UEFA Qualifiers coming up, four more teams will join the already qualified quartet. Moreover, the eight playoff teams will also get confirmed.

As it happens at any other World Cup qualification campaign, some of the big teams in Europe could miss out on automatic qualification this time too. Some of them could miss out on the playoffs as well. The fun with having one 'easy' fixture in a group is that it comes down to who can beat that team most convincingly to get their goal difference up.

While that's not always desirable, that also makes World Cup qualifying campaigns so exciting. Even the best sides end up staring down the end of the barrel when things don't go according to plan.

Ahead of the final round of FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying games in the UEFA zone, here's a look at four European giants that could miss out on automatic qualification:

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#1 Italy

Italy vs Switzerland - 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier

Reigning European champions Italy might not make the 2022 FIFA World Cup with an automatic qualification berth. If that happens, they'll only have themselves to blame. Italy and Switzerland are tied on 15 points apiece currently.

On the final day, Italy will be away at Northern Ireland, while Switzerland will face Bulgaria. Italy have a two-goal advantage, but they have to make sure Switzerland don't better their winning margin on the last day.

Italy drew both their games against Switzerland, but only because they missed a penalty in both games, Jorginho to blame in both cases. Had he converted both, the Azzurri would have been through to the FIFA World Cup 2022 by now.

After missing out on the FIFA World Cup last time, it would be unfathomable for the four-time champions missing out yet again. While chances are they'll still qualify, through the playoff route, if required, Italy have unnecessarily complicated matters for themselves.

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#2 Portugal

Serbia vs Portugal - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

If the Euro 2020 champions find themselves in a spot of bother, the Euro 2016 champions Portugal aren't too far behind. Portugal are tied on points with second-placed Serbia in Group A of their UEFA qualifying group. Both teams have 17 points apiece, but Ronaldo and co have a four-goal advantage in goal difference.

Both teams have won five and drawn two of their seven FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifying games thus far. They drew their first meeting, where Cristiano Ronaldo was denied a late winner, as the referee incorrectly ruled out his effort.

Luckily for Portugal, a draw would suffice against Serbia in their final qualifying game on Sunday as they hope to reach their sixth straight FIFA World Cup finals.

Had Portugal won their last game against the Republic of Ireland, which they drew goalless, they would have been in a better position. Nevertheless, even now, they are favourites to go through, unless Serbia have other ideas.

#3 Spain

Spain vs Sweden - UEFA Euro 2020: Group E

There was a time in the 2000s when imagining a FIFA World Cup where Spain were not one of the first teams to get into the finals would have been blasphemous. But times have changed, and so have Spain.

They only have a solitary-point lead over Sweden, and will have to fight to see which of them makes it through by automatic qualification. With the two teams clashing in the final round, a draw will be enough for Spain to go through.

But the last time the teams faced each other it was Sweden who came out on top with a convincing 2-1 win. However, the equation is straightforward for both teams - win and go through.

Nevertheless, a team of Spain's pedigree should have done better. Then again, if Sweden beat them twice, they'll deserve to seal an automatic qualification berth at Spain's expense.

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#4 Croatia

Croatia vs Spain - UEFA Euro 2020: Round of 16

Another team who is at risk of missing out on automatic qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup is Croatia, the runners-up of the last edition. And they are at a much worse off situation than the other teams in the continent.

Croatia are second in their qualification group, two points behind leaders Russia. If Russia win their final game, there is nothing Croatia can do but fight their way through the playoffs.

Their opening two matches were a 0-1 loss against Slovenia and a 2-2 draw against Slovakia, which might come back to haunt them. Fortunately, their final game is against group leaders Russia, so a win in that game will take Luka Modric and co through to the 2022 World Cup finals.