Ireland were held scoreless again by Bulgaria this evening and the result has serious consequences for our chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup. Despite favourable results in two other matches, Ireland could not beat Bulgaria and it means we are now seeded third for World Cup qualifying, seeded 24th overall.
A few things had to go right elsewhere for Ireland to become second seeds. Amazingly, considering Stephen Kenny's luck, they did. Serbia gave Ireland a massive dig out by hammering Russia 5-0. In Belfast, Northern Ireland drew Romania 1-1. All we had to do was beat Bulgaria, but Ireland's goalless streak surpassed 11 hours of gameplay and we drew.
The World Cup qualifying draw will take place on 7 December in Zurich.
OFFICIAL: UEFA World Cup Qualifying Pots
Romania 🇷🇴 claims the final spot in Pot 2.
Finland 🇫🇮 grabs a spot in Pot 3 at the expense of Bosnia 🇧🇦
The draw will be conducted December 7th. pic.twitter.com/FHMJfLooKZ— We Global Football (@We_Global) November 18, 2020
Pot one will include Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands.
Pot two features Switzerland, Wales, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, Slovakia and Romania.
Best case: Denmark and Romania. Worst case: Belgium and Switzerland.
There are also decent sides in pot 4 like Bosnia, Slovenia and North Macedonia. There is also Georgia.
Ireland were third seeds for Euro 2020 qualifying, a tournament we failed to reach.
The result also means that Ireland finish third in their Nations League group, avoiding relegation from Group B.
The final UEFA Nations League 2020-21 table (with Switzerland/Ukraine TBD)
France 🇫🇷, Belgium 🇧🇪, Italy 🇮🇹, and Spain 🇪🇸 will contest the Nations League finals. pic.twitter.com/sX0tXjwjeh— We Global Football (@We_Global) November 18, 2020
SEE ALSO: The Player Ratings For Ireland's draw with Bulgaria
