Top 5 European teams at risk of failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

#3 Austria

Austria are a quality side but still haven't done enough

Austria haven't qualified for the World Cup since 1998. But having been drawn into a relatively open group, this was their best chance.

With just 10 points in eight games, Das Team are fourth in Group F. The opportunity is slipping away as the side are left with a mountain to climb ahead of their final two fixtures.

Denmark, who boast a perfect record, have booked their place in Qatar. Meanwhile, the competition is intense between Scotland and Israel for a playoff spot.

The only realistic way for them now is based on their Nations League rankings, having won their group last year and secured promotion to League A.

It is currently serving them well, as Franco Foda's side are one of the two best Nations League group winners poised to advance into the next round.

However, it's also imperative for them to collect the maximum available points from their last two games for it to remain like that in the end.

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#2 Turkey

Turkey are looking to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 2002

Turkey were a big disappointment at Euro 2020. Despite an impressive qualifying campaign and possessing a talented squad, the Crescent Stars finished bottom of their group at the tournament proper after losing all three games.

Their World Cup hopes are now quickly diminishing too.

Starting out with a stunning 4-2 win over the Netherlands, they've collected only 12 more points from their next seven games. They sit third in Group G ahead of the final qualifying month.

Norway are two points clear in second place and face Latvia and the Netherlands in their final two games. Meanwhile, Turkey have easy fixtures against Gibraltar and Montenegro.

There's a chance that both sides could end up with the same points, in which case the goal-difference would come into play. As things stand, the Nordic outfit will be going into the playoffs at their expense.

Next year marks 20 years since Turkey's last appearance at the World Cup. If their results don't improve, then the wait is set to go on longer.

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#1 Wales

Wales' first and only World Cup appearance came in 1958

Wales ended their long wait to participate in an international competition by qualifying for Euro 2016, a feat they later repeated earlier this year.

But it looks like we will have to wait a little longer before seeing the Dragons at the World Cup.

Third in Group E with only 11 points from six games, Rob Page's side face a difficult home stretch of the qualifying campaign next month.

They face the mighty Belgium on the final day, wherein a defeat would end their hopes.

The Czech Republic, who're second and above Wales on goal-difference, take on lowly Estonia in their last game. Barring an implosion, the side is expected to seal all three points comfortably.

That would make it 14 for them, leaving the Dragons to finish with one more point to come second and secure a place in the playoffs. It seems like a tough ask but Wales will have to play their best to hold out the Red Devils.