New York [US], April 2: The line-up for this summer's World Cup in North America is now complete after the conclusion of the play-off tournament on Tuesday night. Here's a round up of what happened and look ahead to the finals.
What happened on Tuesday?
The final six slots at the 48-team finals were taken - four of them in Europe and the other two in intercontinental play-offs staged in Mexico. Four-time world champions Italy failed to qualify for the third successive tournament as they lost on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Czech Republic, Turkey and Sweden secured the other European places. Iraq qualified for the finals for the first time in 40 years as they overcame Bolivia, while DR Congo return after an even longer gap - they last competed as Zaire in 1974.
How will it work?
The 48 teams have been divided into 12 groups of four, with the top two in each group plus the eight third-placed teams progressing to a new round of 32. The tournament kicks off with co-hosts Mexico taking on South Africa on June 11 and runs for a record 39 days, concluding at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19.
Who are the favourites, and which teams are making their tournament debut?
European champions Spain, along with 2022 runners-up France and England, are the three best-fancied teams by bookmakers. Four teams will be making their first appearances at the finals - Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan. Cape Verde, nicknamed the Blue Sharks, are in a group alongside Spain plus two-time winners Uruguay, while Curacao have been pitched against four-time champions Germany.
Are tickets still available?
FIFA - which has faced criticism over the high prices it is charging for match tickets and parking, as well as the decision to adopt dynamic pricing - is opening its fourth and final ticket sales window on Wednesday, which will remain open until the end of the tournament. (PAMedia/DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
