Scotland will face Ukraine in March at Hampden in the World Cup qualifying playoffs – with a potential final against Wales or Austria awaiting the winner as the Tartan Army dream of heading to Qatar next year.
Scotland manager Steve Clarke will be hoping to have as much success in the World Cup playoff as he did the Euro 2020 playoff. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Steve Clarke’s side were one of the seeded sides after securing second place in Group F behind Denmark – handing us a home time in the semi-final.
After reaching Euro 2020 last summer, there’s real hope that Scotland can make a second successive major tournament and continue to build on the promise shown by the likes of Billy Gilmour, Nathan Patterson alongside international veterans such as Andy Robertson and Craig Gordon.
With Italy and Portugal in amongst the seeded teams, securing a spot as one of the six teams in Pot 1 has helped Scotland avoid one of the big guns in the World Cup playoff.
The semi-finals will be played on the March 24 and 25 next year. The finals will take place on March 28 and 29.
The 22nd World Cup finals in Qatar will be the first time that the international calendar’s showpiece competition has not been held in May, June or July; instead the 2022 World Cp scheduled for a reduced timeframe between 21 November and 18 December.
Should Scotland make it through the playoffs, the final draw is expected to be held in April 2022.
The World Cup qualifying playoff draw in full for Scotland:
Semi-final – Ukraine – Hampden – March 24/25
Final – Wales or Austria – Away – March 28/29
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