After being drawn in the same playoff path in Friday’s draw, either European champions Italy or Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal will lose out on the World Cup.
It means that either Ronaldo and the 2016 European champions, or Italy, the four-time World Cup winner, would miss the tournament next year.
Italy finished second to Switzerland in the group stage of qualifying, while Portugal was pipped to first place in their group after a home defeat to Serbia, meaning both sides will have to go through the new playoff system if they are to compete in the finals in Qatar in a year.
In the semifinals, Portugal will face Turkey at home, while Italy will face North Macedonia. The winners of those two semifinals will compete for a single spot in the World Cup. In the final, either Portugal or Turkey will be playing at home.
PATH C
Semifinals
Italy vs. North Macedonia
Portugal vs. Turkey
Final
The winners of Portugal vs. Turkey will be at home in the final
The semifinals will be played on Thursday, March 24, with the finals on Tuesday, March 29.
