Women's World Cup play-offs: Everything you need to know with Scotland and Wales in action
- Published
Women's World Cup qualifiers: How they work
Scotland and Wales moved one step closer to the 2023 Women's World Cup with wins on Thursday to book their spots in the finals of the play-offs.
Scotland beat Austria and Wales saw off Bosnia-Herzegovina, both in extra time, in two of three European semi-finals.
Scotland now face Republic of Ireland on Tuesday and Wales visit Switzerland.
But even a win will not guarantee they join England at for next year's tournament in New Zealand and Australia.
Nine teams finished runners-up in the group stages of European qualifying for the World Cup and - based on performances in qualifying - the three top-seeded teams were given a bye to the finals.
Those top seeds were Iceland, Republic of Ireland and Switzerland, while the remaining six teams, including Scotland and Wales, went into the one-legged semi-finals.
Portugal beat Belgium 2-1 in the other semi-final to set up a meeting with Iceland.
However, winning the play-off final does not guarantee a spot at the World Cup as only two of the three play-off winners will automatically qualify.
The remaining team will have to play a third game in an inter-confederation play-off, which will take place in New Zealand in February 2023.
So how do they separate the three play-off winners?
They will be ranked according to qualifying performances and upcoming play-off results, external - the latter will see them receive three points for a win or one point if the win is achieved via a penalty shootout.
Current rankings
Ranking of group runners-up from | Women's World Cup qualifying | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Team | Points | Goal difference | Goals scored |
Switzerland | 19 | 19 | 23 |
Iceland | 18 | 22 | 25 |
Republic of Ireland | 17 | 22 | 26 |
Austria | 16 | 28 | 34 |
Belgium | 16 | 23 | 30 |
Scotland | 16 | 9 | 22 |
Portugal | 16 | 9 | 18 |
Wales | 14 | 8 | 13 |
Bosnia-Herzegovina | 11 | -8 | 9 |
The Republic of Ireland and Scotland are in stronger positions than Wales in the rankings, with the Irish almost certain to qualify if they win their final and Scotland well-placed if they were to beat them.
Wales are likely to be the side entering the inter-confederation play-offs, should they beat Switzerland.
One scenario which would see them go through automatically would be if they won the final by two goals and Portugal or Scotland won their play-off final in a penalty shootout.
Bosnia-Herzegovina are the one side unable to finish as a top-two play-off winner - at best they can reach the inter-confederation play-offs.
The 10-team inter-confederation play-offs will also feature Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Cameroon, Senegal, Haiti, Panama, Chile, Paraguay, and Papua New Guinea.
Play-off finals
(11 October, all times BST)
Portugal v Iceland (18:00)
Scotland v Republic of Ireland (20:00)
Switzerland v Wales (18:00)