Portugal will have to play in an intercontinental play-off to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup finals as they are the “worst” of the three teams that have surpassed the second round of the European play-offs.
The team led by Francisco Neto, who are looking for their first World Cup presence, played their part by beating Iceland 4–1 at home after extra time, but the results of other matches were unfavorable.
Portugal already knew they would qualify for the Intercontinental Playoffs if Switzerland and Ireland triumphed, which they did, with the Swiss 2-1 after extra time in the reception with Wales and the Irish in Scotland with a score of 1.-0.
The ranking took into account points in the group stage, against first, third, fourth and fifth, and even those won today: Portugal reached 19, against 20 for Ireland and 22 for Switzerland.
As such, the Portuguese team has not been able to qualify directly but is fighting for the last three places to access the 2023 World Cup to be at stake next February, for a total of 10 teams in New Zealand.
The playoffs, which are scheduled to be drawn on Friday, will take place from 17 to 23 February 2023, with China Taipei, Thailand, Cameroon, Senegal, Papua New Guinea, Haiti, Panama, Chile and Paraguay being the likely opponents.
In the playoffs, the teams will be divided into three groups: two with three teams and one with four, with the places in the series determined by the FIFA rankings, and Portugal will be the best among the 10 teams present. posted.
The winners of each of the intercontinental playoff groups advance to the final phase, while in the three-team groups, the seed of the series advance directly to the final, where they face the winner of their group’s semi-final. .
29 out of 32 teams have already been identified for the final, 11 from Europe, namely Sweden, Spain, England, Denmark, Norway, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland and Ireland.
Other formations that have already qualified are host countries Australia and New Zealand, as well as China, Japan, Philippines, South Korea and Vietnam (Asia), Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia (Africa), Canada, Costa Rica, Jamaica and the States (CONCACAF) and Argentina, Brazil and Colombia (South America).
The 2003 Women’s World Cup final will be held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
