Croatia to face Slovakia in Osijek in World Cup 2022 qualifying

ZAGREB, 18 June 2021 – The eastern city of Osijek will host a 2022 World Cup qualifier in October, the Croatian Football Federation executive committee decided on Friday. 

Gradski vrt stadium in Osijek has been selected as the venue for Croatia’s qualifier against Slovakia on 11 October 2021. 

The match will be played three days after Croatia takes on Cyprus away in Cyprus. 

The Croatian national team has played 12 matches in Osijek, winning 10 of them. 

Croatia is at the top of  Group H after three games. Slovakia, Russia, Slovenia, Cyprus, and Malta make up the rest of the group. 

Schedule

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 – Osijek 

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.