FIFA World Cup 2022: Three underdog teams who can qualify from Europe

These nations can spring a surprise and gain qualification for the final tournament.

FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar is coming closer by the day. Recently, the qualification groups of the European teams were drawn to reveal which teams will contest one another in order to secure World Cup qualification. 

The teams were split into ten groups of five and six teams each. The winners of each group will directly gain qualification to the World Cup while runners-up will be drawn in play-offs, out of which teams will contest for remaining qualification spots.

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The competition is going to be immense given the magnitude of the stakes. Therefore, considering the past performances as well, here are the three underdogs among the heavyweights who can qualify for the 2022 World Cup from Europe:

Turkey

Turkey are one of those European teams that do not have any shortage of gifted players, but have constantly underperformed on the international stage. Since their incredible third-place finish in the 2002 World Cup, they have failed to even qualify in the following editions.

Placed with teams like Netherlands, Norway, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar, it will certainly be another challenge for them to qualify. If not group winners, they will certainly be in a shout to attain qualification from the play-offs too.

Their challenge will be spearheaded by players like Caglar Soyuncu of Leicester City, Hakan Çalhanoğlu of AC Milan and Ozan Kabak of FC Schalke 04.

Scotland

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Scotland’s national football team recently secured qualification into the UEFA Euro 2020 main tournament, which is a massive achievement, considering this will be their first men’s major tournament in over two decades.

Scotland is a team that has a lot of in-form players such as Andy Robertson of Liverpool, John Mcginn of Aston Villa, Scott Mctominay of Manchester United and Kieran Tierney of Arsenal.

They have been grouped against teams like Denmark, Austria, Israel, Faroe Islands and Moldova and have a real chance of securing direct qualification into the World Cup. They will face competition from the Danish team and the Austrians for the top spot.

Norway

Erling Braut Haaland - One name is enough to justify why Norway is one of the underdogs in the qualifications. The striker is a world-class player and cannot stop scoring, no matter the stakes or the prestige of the competition or the quality of the opposition. As of now, Haaland has already scored six goals in seven games for the senior team and is in scintillating form.

He will be joined by some high-profile players like Martin Odegaard of Real Madrid, Alexander Sørloth of RB Leipzig and Sander Berge of Sheffield United.

After being grouped with Netherlands, Turkey, Montenegro, Latvia and Gibraltar, there is going to be a three-way battle for the top. The Dutch along with Turkey will back their chances of gaining a direct qualification, however, it can go either way as Norwegian players will definitely turn up when required.

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