Group A
While many of the groups look like they have the potential to go to the wire, Group A looks much more cut and dried with Portugal and Serbia set to do battle to determine who will qualify directly and who will go to the play-offs.
Aleksander Mitrovic was in fine form, scoring five goals as Serbia beat Azerbaijan and the Republic of Ireland while recovering from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Portugal.
Luxembourg were the other side to win, picking up a famous 1-0 win in Dublin. Stephen Kenny is still yet to win during his tenure as Ireland manager and the feeling among fans is that it will now become 20 years at least between World Cup appearances.
Group B
Spain may lead the way in Group B but it’s Sweden who hold a 100% record thanks to victories over Kosovo and Georgia. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is out of international retirement and will no doubt have the confidence that he can inspire his nation to overcome the Spanish.
Spain needed a last-gasp winner from Dani Olmo to overcome the ever-improving Georgia after stumbling to a 1-1 draw in their opener with Greece. This group already has the look of a two-horse race, similar to Group A.
Group C
Italy continued their impressive form under Roberto Mancini by recording a hat-trick of 2-0 wins to get their campaign off to the best possible start. Switzerland also have a 100% after wins against Bulgaria and Lithuania.
Northern Ireland suffered a disappointing start to qualifying. Defeat in Italy was no great surprise but a 0-0 draw at home to Bulgaria is two points dropped and Ian Baraclough’s men will now find it tough to bridge the gap to the top two, even at this early stage. Another group that looks set to be between the top two.
Group D
Now for the group of draws. France were the only team to pick up any victories over the period, beating Kazakhstan and Bosnia. It was stalemates galore for everyone else which means it’s pretty much as you were. France look like they’ll comfortably claim top spot but for now the play-off place is anyone’s.
Group E
Belgium started off as they always do in qualification these days with some resounding wins, although a draw with the Czech Republic was sandwiched in between. A 3-1 victory over Wales and an 8-0 mauling of Belarus has Roberto Martinez’s men atop of Group E where they will be difficult to shift.
Wales bounced back from their opening game defeat to the Belgians with a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic thanks to Daniel James. Belarus kept pace with a 4-2 win over Estonia.
Group F
Despite being the team from pot one that everyone wanted to draw, Denmark have got off to a flyer in Group F, claiming nine points, scoring 14 goals and not conceding any. This included two excellent away wins, beating Israel 2-0 and crushing Austria 4-0.
Scotland have made an unbeaten start and currently occupy the play-off spot. This group has the look of a three horse race for second even at this early stage with the games between Scotland, Israel and Austria appearing key.
Group G
This looked like an intriguing group when it was first drawn and it has proved to be the case. Turkey came roaring out of the blocks, beating the Netherlands and Norway before slipping up at home to Latvia.
The Norwegians and the Dutch have responded well and sit just behind Turkey on six points, level with Montenegro. It will be a while before we can work out what is going to happen here.
Group H
Another group that is looking difficult to call. Slovakia are the only unbeaten side but sit in third after an unexpected 2-2 draw at home to Malta.
Croatia and Russia lead the way with two wins from three. Cyprus and Slovenia are also well in the hunt after picking up a win each.
Group I
England have made a perfect start to their campaign, picking up three wins to sit on top of the group. The third win, a slender 2-1 win over Poland could prove crucial to the final standings.
Hungary are in second, picking up expected wins over Andorra and San Marino while drawing 3-3 with Poland.
This group is very much a four way battle with those sides expecting to take maximum points from their games with San Marino and Andorra. Albania are keeping in the hunt, currently third.
Group J
Armenia are the surprise leaders in Group J, picking up nine points from their three games.
This group contained one of the biggest shocks of the break as Germany lost at home to North Macedonia. It leaves the Germans in third at this stage and while they’ll still expect to win the group, it’s turning out to be much more difficult than many expected.
There were only a handful of games played in the Asian section of the qualifiers. In Group D, Saudi Arabia coasted to a 5-0 win over Palestine to move top of the group.
In Group F, Mongolia’s hopes of reaching the World Cup ended with a 1-0 defeat to Tajikistan. They then followed this up with a 14-0 home defeat to Japan with Werder Bremen forward Yuya Osako helping himself to a hat-trick.
The first round of CONCACAF’s qualifiers got under way with a group stage where each team will play each other once, with the top team going through.
Group A
It’s all to play for in Group A at the halfway stage with everyone still in with even a slight chance. Antigua and Barbuda currently lead the way from El Salvador on goal difference.
Group B
Canada and Suriname made strong starts to Group B, taking maximum points. Canada’s victories included an 11-0 win over the Cayman Islands. The clash between the pair in June looks likely to decide the winner though Bermuda will be hoping to crash the party.
Aruba and the Cayman Islands cannot now qualify.
Group C
It’s a similar story in Group C as Curacao and Guatemala lead the way on six points. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are hanging in there on three points while Cuba and the British Virgin Islands will not make it to Qatar.
Curacao are currently managed by Guus Hiddink and have Juninho and Leandro Bacuna among their ranks.
Group D
2018 participants Panama have begun their quest to make back to back World Cups with narrow wins over Barbados and Dominica. The Dominican Republic currently top the group on goal difference after beating now eliminated Dominica and Anguilla.
Group E
This is a four team group as Saint Lucia withdrew before qualifying began. Nicaragua, Belize and Haiti all lead on three points apiece while the Turks and Caicos Islands are out of contention. Belize are disadvantaged by having played a game more than their rivals.
Group F
2006 group stage participants Trinidad and Tobago face a fight to make the next stage as they sit two points behind leaders Saint Kitts and Nevis. It would be a remarkable achievement for the Sugar Boyz if they can clinch top spot although the games with the Soca Warriors and Guyana will be stiff tests.
The Bahamas are out having suffered 4-0 defeats to Saint Kitts and Nevis and Guyana.
The second round will conclude in the next international break in June, where Asian and African qualifiers will recommence.
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All ten group winners will qualify automatically for the finals in the first ever winter World Cup while the ten runners-up will compete in the playoffs along with the two best performing Nations League teams that did not finish in the top two of their group. This will see the 12 teams go into three groups of four and play each other in a semi-final and final, similar to what we saw in the Euro 2020 playoffs.
With the technical stuff now out of the way, lets take a look at how the draw panned out and assess the chances of the participants.
Group A
Portugal, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan
When Ireland were first drawn out, the reaction among fans would have been negative. After all, they would have to come up against Cristiano Ronaldo and company while also dealing with the prospect of a difficult trip to Belgrade. But having saw the conclusion of the draw and letting the dust settle, manager Stephen Kenny should be quietly optimistic. Serbia very much blow hot and cold despite having the likes of Sergei Milinkovic-Savic in their ranks and are definitely beatable.
Luxembourg have done well in the past few years to make it into pot four but will be deemed as a kind draw while Azerbaijan is an awkward away day but have no World Cup pedigree.
Portugal should make relatively light work of this group and take the automatic spot while it looks like those two games in Belgrade and Dublin will almost be mini playoffs in themselves.
Group B
Spain, Sweden, Greece, Georgia, Kosovo.
Sometimes the phrase ‘there are no easy games in football’ can be easily debunked in the international game but this group should very much live up to that cliché.
Spain will fancy themselves to qualify quite comfortably in first place but the playoff spot is well and truly up for grabs. Sweden will be favourites with young prospects Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak eager to make it to their first World Cup. Greece always provide stubborn opposition but have underperformed in recent years and are stuck in league C of the Nations League.
Georgia and Kosovo are two of the nightmare teams to draw from pots four and five. Georgia narrowly missed out on reaching Euro 2020 but have proven a tough but to crack recently while Kosovo have drawn attention for some wonderful attacking football despite only playing their first official match six years ago. Neither side will make it easy for the Swedes or the Greeks and it should prove a close race.
Group C
Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Bulgaria, Lithuania
This is what should be considered a terrible draw for Ian Baraclough’s Northern Ireland. Italy have enjoyed a resurgence under Roberto Mancini after missing out on Russia 2018 while Switzerland are perennial qualifiers for major tournaments, reaching the last four World Cups. The Swiss were the highest ranked team from pot two and Italy themselves will be annoyed to have drawn them as both now battle for the automatic spot.
Bulgaria are at a low ebb at the minute and may view this as a way to help build some confidence and set their sights on Euro 2024 while Lithuania will surely consider anything other than 5th place a success.
Group D
France, Ukraine, Finland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kazakhstan
Another group which should see an extremely tight battle for the playoff berth. France will need to be wary as Ukraine and Bosnia are dangerous sides while Finland recently defeated Didier Deschamps’ men in a friendly. The talent in the French squad however is almost unparalleled and they could probably enter a second team into qualifying and still go through. The race for second should be exciting with Ukraine and Finland having both qualified for Euro 2020 while Bosnia are always a threat, even with Edin Dzeko firmly in the veteran stage of his career now.
The Finns are riding the quest of a wave right now and would love to emulate Iceland by following up a first ever major finals with a World Cup qualification. Kazakhstan should prop up the group but will be a dreaded away trip for the other teams with France facing an over 7,000 mile round trip.
Group E
Belgium, Wales, Czech Republic, Belarus, Estonia
This is quite a strange group as Wales and the Czechs go into it knowing their virtually guaranteed a playoff regardless of what happens due to their winning of their Nations League groups. Neither Ryan Giggs nor Jaroslav Silhavy will want their players using this as an excuse to slack off though as they chase automatic qualification ahead of the formidable Belgians.
Roberto Martinez’s side cruised through the Euro 2020 qualifiers with ten wins from ten and will be strongly fancied here to reach a third consecutive World Cup. There is a feeling that this may be the last World Cup for their golden generation to actually win the tournament itself so we should see no let up in this group.
Wales have been in the mix now for the last three major tournaments and similarly to Ireland’s group, should view their matches with the Czech Republic as playoffs among themselves as Belarus and Estonia are very unlikely to make any impact.
Group F
Denmark, Austria, Scotland, Israel, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Scotland will arguably consider themselves the happiest of the home nations as they have avoided the big hitters in pot one. Denmark however are one of the most underrated teams in international football at the moment having only lost in 2018 on penalties and booking their place at Euro 2020 by going unbeaten through their group. Austria are on a bit of an upward curve too after their disastrous showing during qualification for Russia. They comfortably qualified for Euro 2020 and won their Nations League group to give themselves the likely cushion of a playoff spot.
Scotland themselves will be buoyed after reaching a first major tournament in 22 years and the challenge now is to get back on the world stage. They’ll be very familiar with Israel, having played them five times since 2018. The Israeli’s themselves will look to regular goalscorer Eran Zahavi to give them some hope of troubling the top spots. The Faroe Islands will be hopeful of springing an upset to build on their recent good form while Moldova will take anything having just been relegated to the bottom tier of the Nations League.
Group G
Netherlands, Turkey, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia, Gibraltar
Group G is a very appetising group on paper as the top three seeds all eye top spot. The Dutch will go in as favourites although will be missing the talismanic Virgil Van Dijk for at least the opening two games which may allow Turkey or Norway to steal an early march. Turkey endured a rotten Nations League campaign and haven’t actually been back at a World Cup since their semi-final run in 2002. They’ll need to show massive improvement to have any hope of claiming top spot or even holding off Norway for second.
The Norwegians have some scintillating talent coming through and could give the Dutch a serious run for their money here. An attacking trio of Martin Odegaard, Jens Petter Hauge and Erling Haaland is enough to trouble any defence and it would be wonderful to see them fulfil their potential and reach the finals.
Montenegro will be confident off the back of a good Nations League campaign but a sustained run against better sides looks beyond them. Latvia are another team in a terrible spot at the minute while Gibraltar will be the likely whipping boys though they could cause an upset against the Latvians.
Group H
Croatia, Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Malta
An intriguing Group H will see a rematch of the 2018 World Cup quarter final between Croatia and Russia. Russian club football is in a fairly low place at the minute with largely terrible performances in European competition. With the Russian squad mostly home-based, this would suggest Croatia are rightful favourites for the group, even if their core players of the 2018 squad are now the wrong side of 30.
Slovakia progressed through the playoffs for Euro 2020 and will hope to get their again while Slovenia will be looking towards a first major tournament in 20 years should they manage to qualify. Cyprus will be looking to pick themselves up from poor recent form while Malta will be trying to overtake them and claim fifth place.
Group I
England, Poland, Hungary, Albania, Andorra, San Marino
England and Poland. It’s been a while but here we are again. Familiar rivals in the past will again do battle for a place in Qatar and while England will be firm favorites, write a team with Robert Lewandowski upfront off at your peril. Hungary are lurking as the third seed and will be waiting for any slip ups from the top two and aiming to take full advantage. In Dominik Szoboszlai they look to have a future star in the making.
Albania have failed to build upon their surprise appearance at Euro 2016 while Andorra vs San Marino could actually be one of the ties to look out for as both teams eye picking up a welcome victory.
Group J
Germany, Romania, Iceland, North Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein
Oh Joachim Loew. Fresh off receiving backing from the German FA that he will continue as the German coach, he finds himself with the kindest draw of any of the top nations. Die Mannschaft should sail through this group and leave it up to Romania and Iceland to battle it out for the playoffs. The two sides met in the Euro 2020 playoffs with Iceland coming out on top. They’ll be hoping to make it back to back World Cups which would be exceptional for such a small nation. North Macedonia will be hoping to follow their lead by backing up a first major tournament by qualifying for a World Cup.
Armenia may fancy themselves to get in the mix too and will look to Henrikh Mkhitaryan to inspire them while Liechtenstein will be hoping to pick up some results and build towards the next Nations League campaign and a promotion push.
It will be strange to see the qualifiers start in March before the European Championships were played and the awkward situation may arise where a bad start could see a manager lose his job before next summer’s festival of football. As for now, every manager will be hoping to avoid injuries to key players as the quest to reach the first World Cup in the Arab world begins.
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Following Omonoia’s 1-0 home victory over Apollon, Berg spoke positively about his team but refused to be drawn into a discussion relating to their title chances, given many journalists and fans are already talking about a first championship in almost a decade.
“For us, the start we have made, I cannot say anything other than I’m happy with three wins and a draw.” Berg told the press pack.
“It’s a good start from where we were in the summer and the players that have come in. We are developing. Not everything we do is perfect but we’re working very hard to be the best we can be.”
Berg’s choice of words are by no means an indication he’s ruling out any chance of a title victory although, at this early stage of his tenure, steady progress is the key objective.
Omonoia are already showing signs of improvement. Defensively they’ve tightened up, conceding twice in four games; both goals coming from the spot in the 2-2 draw away at AEK Larnaca – a game shrouded in controversy as Omonoia were (not for the first time) ruing decisions made by referee George Nicolaou, who mysteriously ruled out Michael Luftner’s goal and denied them a stone-wall penalty – yet awarded three to AEK.
The addition of Tomas Hubocan will undoubtedly provide much needed experience at the back once the former Marseille central defender is match fit.
Going forward, Omonoia’s free-flowing football has produced some well crafted finishes and with Thiago Santos, Eric Bautheac, Charlambos Mavrias, Jordi Gomez and Dimitris Christofi getting on the score sheet, there’s less pressure on Matt Derbyshire to deliver.
Hen Ezra is already looking like one of the signings of the season having put in some impressive displays, whilst Vitor Gomes continues to impress in midfield.
Berg saved some praise for Omonoia’s supporters, who’ve turned up in their thousands to get behind their team; an interesting choice given the Omonoia Ultra’s (Gate 9) are no longer attending matches.
“I’m also very happy to hear the fans, like they always have been, even from the first day when we had the practice match – there were 10,000 here for the game against Anorthosis.
“It was fantastic support for the players and it was good to hear the fans being happy again, It helps the players a lot and maybe they were able to make a difference in a game like this.”
Omonoia face (Jason Puncheon’s new team) Paphos FC this weekend and are favourites to make it four wins from five as the hosts have lost their last three games. Around 2,100 fans are expected to travel to Paphos, whilst an estimated 2,000 Omonoia supporters from the city will be in the home section. Expect fireworks.
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