2022 World Cup: Rijeka to host Croatia’s first two home qualifiers
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
ZAGREB, 17 December 2020 – Rijeka will play host to Croatia’s first two home 2022 World Cup qualifiers, the Croatian Football Federation confirmed on Thursday.
Croatia was drawn in Group H alongside Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta.
In March, Croatia will play two home games, against Cyprus on March 27 and Malta on March 30, both of which will be played in Rijeka at Rujevica Stadium.
Croatia has played 16 times in Rijeka and has yet to lose in the city with 13 wins and three draws.
Details of venues for the other home qualifiers will be announced at a later date.
Schedule
24.3. 20:45: Slovenia – CROATIA
27.3. 18:00: CROATIA – Cyprus – Rujevica Stadium, Rijeka
30.3. 20:45: CROATIA – Malta – Rujevica Stadium, Rijeka
1.9. 20:45: Russia – CROATIA
4.9. 20:45: Slovakia – CROATIA
7.9. 20:45: CROATIA – Slovenia
8.10. 20:45: Cyprus – CROATIA
11.10. 20:45: CROATIA – Slovakia
11.11. 20:45: Malta – CROATIA
14.11. 15:00: CROATIA – Russia
The ten group winners will qualify directly for Qatar 2022, with the ten runners-up advancing to the play-offs. Besides the ten runners-up from the group stage, the play-offs will also include the two best group winners from the UEFA Nations League 2020-2021 overall ranking that did not qualify directly for the FIFA World Cup 2022 and did not enter the play-offs as runners-up.
The 12 teams will be split into three play-off paths, which will feature single-leg knockout matches in March 2022 to determine the last three European nations to book a place in Qatar.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be played from 21 November – 18 December 2022 in Doha, Lusail, Al Khor, Al Wakrah, and Rayyan.
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