World Cup qualification: Duel with Slovakia: This is what threatens if we lose | EUROtoday

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The time for calculating video games is over: After the bumpy 2-0 win in Luxembourg and earlier than the final matchday of the World Cup qualification, nationwide coach Julian Nagelsmann’s nationwide soccer crew is aware of what it nonetheless wants for the direct ticket to America. A win or a draw towards them Slovakia on Monday night (8:45 p.m./ZDF) is sufficient for first place.

What occurs in second place?

If Germany loses the house sport in Leipzig towards their direct rivals after dropping 2-0 in September, Slovakia will go to the World Cup. Germany, however, would face the final word check of nerves within the playoffs in March – two knockout video games, each of which must be received in an effort to get one of many 48 locations after a substantial delay.

The first duel can be assured to be a house sport, as Germany can be within the pot of the 4 greatest groups attributable to its good place on the earth rankings. Then it could be towards one of many 4 group winners from the Nations League who haven’t but certified. As of now, Sweden, Romania and Northern Ireland can be candidates.

However, dwelling benefit shall be drawn for the ultimate that follows within the occasion of a win. Germany may then must play in Poland or the Czech Republic for a World Cup ticket, for instance.

In the duel with Slovakia in Group A, the truth that purpose distinction is weighted by UEFA as the primary qualification criterion has a optimistic impact for Nagelsmann’s crew. A draw is sufficient in Leipzig. If the direct comparability have been to rely first, Germany must win on Monday.

Which situation has now not threatened since Friday?

Third place within the group behind Slovakia and Northern Ireland and subsequently a extra demanding path within the playoff match in March. In such a case, Germany would have ended up in pot 4 within the playoff draw subsequent Wednesday – there would have been a menace of a visitor look in Italy or Turkey within the first of the 2 knockout duels.

The crew round captain Joshua Kimmich avoids all eventualities and a further ready interval of months with a draw or win towards Slovakia. Otherwise, for the primary time since autumn 2001, there’s a threat of relegation video games for participation in a World Cup. The four-time world champion has by no means missed this occasion for sporting causes.

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https://www.zeit.de/news/2025-11/15/duell-mit-der-slowakei-das-droht-bei-einer-niederlage