Supercomputer predicts final World Cup qualifying play-offs as Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal or Italy to MISS tournament
WALES and European champions Italy will fail to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – a supercomputer has predicted.
Rob Page’s Wales are looking to qualify for the highly anticipated tournament for the first time since 1958.
But they face a tough route to Qatar, having to face favourites Austria in the play-off semi-final.
But should Wales upset the favourites from Path A, they will go on to face either Scotland or Ukraine in the final.
However, Scotland and Ukraine’s match has been pushed back to June due to to Russian invasion.
Like Wales, Euro 2020 winners Italy are predicted to sit out this winter’s spectacle whilst favourites Portugal – spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo – go through.
Read more in football
Qatar could be Manchester United forward and football icon Ronaldo’s last World Cup.
The 37-year-old told beIN Sports: “I expect Qatar could be my final World Cup. I often go on holidays there, to Qatar as well as Dubai.
“I am happy because for sure it will be last international tournament.”
By the time the next major international tournament comes around in 2024, Ronaldo will be 39.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
But they would have to get past Turkey in the semis and then either Italy or North Macedonia on March 29.
The supercomputer also predicts that the 2021 Ballon d’Or runner-up Robert Lewandowski will be in Qatar.
Poland are in the play-off Path B.
They’re favourites to qualify, ahead of Sweden and the Czech Republic.
Once the winners from Path B and C are determined, they’ll learn who their group stage opponents on April 1.
The teams have been divided into four pots owing to their current Fifa ranking.
Hosts Qatar will be in Pot 1 alongside the top seven sides which includes England.