Why is Zlatan Ibrahimović suspended for Sweden’s playoff semifinals?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to miss Sweden’s World Cup play-off match after being suspended due to receiving his second yellow card in the qualifying round.
The Swedish striker came off the bench as a substitute in the second half against Spain and received a yellow card after striking Spain’s right back Cesar Azpilicueta aggressively with his shoulder and sent the defender to the ground.
Sweden had a chance to get to the World Cup 2022 with a win but failed with Alvaro Morata who scored the only goal of the match to guarantee Spain a place in the mega event. As for Sweden, they will be drawn for the playoffs, which are planned between March 24 and 29.
FIFA World Cup Qualifier: How does the European play-off system work?
The winners of each group automatically qualify for the World Cup play-offs, but three more teams will seal their place in the mega-event during the play-offs scheduled for March.
The playoffs will feature the top 10 runners-up and the top two remaining UEFA Nations League teams. The 12 nations will be divided into three separate groups by seeded. The team will play a match with single elimination in one leg and the winner of them will play the final. The winners of each play-off final go to Qatar. The draw for the playoffs will take place on Friday 26 November.
Which teams have qualified for the play-offs for the World Cup qualifiers so far?
As it stands, Portugal, Scotland, Italy, Russia, Sweden, Poland and northern Macedonia have reached the playoffs. Wales and the Czech Republic are fighting for the place from Group E, while Group D will see either Finland or Ukraine qualify. The Netherlands, Turkey and Norway are vying for a place in Group G with one of the three teams making it to the final round, while another is making it to the playoffs.
Teams that have reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Apart from Group G, all other groups have a final group winner who has made it to the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Serbia, Spain, Switzerland all going to Qatar.
