Eur not going to have it all your own way

WITH Europe having provided the last four World Cup winners, it is no surprise to see the continent dominating the betting for 2022.

And while Brazil are currently considered outright favourites, there are plenty of other teams from outside Europe harbouring hopes of making a big impact in Qatar.

Here, we take a look at the state of qualification across the non-UEFA confederations to see which nations are on track to feature at the finals.

Having already built up a sizeable cushion at the top of the CONMEBOL standings, Brazil and Argentina look set for a chance to add to their combined haul of seven World Cups.

But the table is tight beyond those two big-hitters for the two remaining automatic spots.

Perennial overachievers Uruguay are in the mix while Chile will hope the goals of their new star man, Blackburn striker Ben Brereton Diaz, will strengthen their bid.

For the sides who miss out, a spot in the intercontinental play-off is available via a fifth-placed finish.

Africa’s unpredictable qualification process makes it difficult to get a handle on which teams will make it.

Senegal, Morocco, Egypt and the Ivory Coast have all impressed in their four-team groups, which are set to be completed during this international break.

However, the 10 teams that qualify for the next round must then win an unseeded, two-legged play-off to book their place at the World Cup.

Present at every World Cup since 1990, it is no surprise to see Mexico lead the charge in their CONCACAF section of qualifying for 2022.

And USA look likely candidates to make it seven qualifications from eight by clinching a place in Qatar.

Those two have typically been joined by a Central American state, however Canada have emerged as the new power in CONCACAF and look a good bet for a first World Cup appearance in 36 years.

Fourth place goes into the intercontinental play-off.

Saudi Arabia, along with Iran, got off to the best start in the Asian section of qualifying with South Korea and Australia not too far behind in the chase for the four automatic spots across two groups.

The two third-placed sides in each group will face off for a spot in the intercontinental play-offs.

OFC Oceania’s qualification process has yet to begin after an initial September 2020 start date was pushed back due to the pandemic.

Eleven teams including Fiji, Samoa and strong favourites New Zealand are awaiting confirmation of the format that will decide their World Cup fate.