While teams such as Brazil, Germany, England and Italy have managed to win all their 2022 World Cup qualifying matches to date, there are others who have struggled to muster points so far, putting at risk their qualification for the tournament set to hosted by Qatar.
Teams such as Croatia, Colombia, the Netherlands, Uruguay and even Spain have yet to convince with their performances and could be in danger in their pursuit to clinch direct qualification to the 2022 World Cup.
Croatia
Having been beaten by Slovenia in their first game of the World Cup qualifiers, Croatia managed to grab a narrow 1-0 victory over Cyprus on home soil.
Meanwhile, Russia have won both their matches with Malta and Slovenia and now top a tricky Group H.
The 2018 finalists will compete for the top spot with Russia and Slovenia, but will have improve to secure automatic qualification to the World Cup and avoid playoffs.
Colombia
Reinaldo Rueda departed the Chilean national team in January to return to Colombia and assist their efforts to bounce back and clinch World Cup qualification.
Colombia currently sit seventh in the 10-team South America group, having picked up just four points after the same amount of games.
To qualify directly to the 2022 World Cup, Los Cafeteros need to clinch a top-four spot, with the team which finishes fifth going into a playoff with a team from Oceania, Asia or Northern America.
The Netherlands
After Ronald Koeman‘s departure to join Barcelona, the Netherlands have struggled to rediscover their form under Frank de Boer.
The Dutch side finished second behind Italy in the Nations League’s League A Group 1 and were beaten 4-2 by Turkey in their first World Cup qualifier.
They beat Latvia 2-0, but both Turkey and Montenegro are ahead of them in the Group G table, having mustered six points apiece.
Uruguay
The Uruguayan national team sit fifth in the South America’s group after winning two of their four games so far.
Meanwhile, Colombia and Chile have picked up just four points apiece and will try to bounce back soon to avoid missing out on the 2022 World Cup.
Spain
Although Spain‘s group does not seem as tough as others, La Roja failed to grab all three points against Greece in Granada.
They did overcome Georgia 2-1, but it required a last minute goal and Luis Enrique admitted his concern afterwards.
Meanwhile, Sweden have won both their games against Kosovo and Georgia and top Group B.
If the Swedes manage to secure top spot, Spain could be forced to dispute a playoff to secure qualification to the World Cup.
