FIFA changed the World Cup qualifying format for Friday’s intercontinental knockout round to single-leg matches at a neutral venue.
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The team that wins the matches will win the final two spots at next year’s World Cup in Qatar. FIFA cited “unprecedented disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic” when scheduling matches for June, two months later than the pre-pandemic schedule.
Singles games also avoid the need for teams to cross multiple time zones for two-legged matches. The two games will be held on June 13 and 14.
The knockout round will feature teams from AFC (Asia), CONMEBOL (South America), OFC (Oceania) and CONCACAF (North America and Caribbean region). Three of the playoff teams will be known by the end of March. The goal of the Asia region is expected to be decided in a regional playoff just days before the intercontinental playoffs.
The two-legged intercontinental knockout round was introduced for the 1986 World Cup and often required long hauls.
FIFA will conduct the World Cup group draw on April 1 in Doha. Only 30 of the 32 qualifiers will be known at the time, with intercontinental knockouts still to come.
The draw for the intercontinental qualifiers will take place on November 26. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on November 21, with the final on December 18.
