FIFA conducted a pair of World Cup qualifying playoff draws on Friday that dealt a brutal hand to two European powers while offering the U.S. men’s national team a potential reprieve if it stumbles in Concacaf’s Octagonal.
Friday’s draws created a pathway for five nations to reach next year’s 32-team World Cup in Qatar—three from Europe and two from the rest of the world. Among the European countries vying for one of those spots are the past two continental champions: Italy and Portugal.
Both are ranked in FIFA’s top 10 and both enjoy vast popularity and pedigree.