World Cup 2022

Canada and USA are both bang on course to qualify for this year’s World Cup finals in Qatar and a draw in Hamilton may satisfy both teams. With three automatic places up for grabs, Mexico are just behind but Panama crucially lost ground due to Thursday’s defeat at Costa Rica.

USA were held to a goalless draw by El Salvador in September’s opening round of World Cup qualifiers but should ease through the return fixture in Columbus. The Stars and Stripes have won their last three home matches, while La Selecta have tasted defeat in a trio of away games.

Argentina are looking to make it three consecutive victories over arch-rivals Brazil in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier. La Albiceleste won 1-0 in both a November 2019 Superclasico de las Americas clash in Saudi Arabia and this summer’s Copa America final in Rio.

Canada have been on an upward curve for some time now and can give their World Cup hopes another boost by holding Mexico on home turf. The Cannucks ended a five-match losing run in head-to-head encounters with El Tri when drawing 1-1 at Aztec Stadium last month.

England still need to get something from their trip to San Marino to make sure of top spot in World Cup Group I but that shouldn’t be difficult. These teams have met five times in the last decade, with the Three Lions prevailing in all of those games by an aggregate score of 29-0.

Scotland have already wrapped up second spot in World Cup Group F ahead of facing runaway leaders Denmark but will be keen to finish on a high. Steve Clarke’s side have rattled off five straight wins in this pool since September’s 2-0 loss to the Danes in Copenhagen.

Northern Ireland face a daunting task when taking on an Italy side looking to claim top spot in World Cup Group C. The Azzurri are only ahead of Switzerland on goal difference and the Rossocrociati will be eyeing a convincing victory at home to Bulgaria.

Losing at home to Luxembourg was the low point of Ireland’s World Cup qualifying campaign and they will be keen to claim revenge. The Republic have produced some far more encouraging results recently and are taken to put the record straight in this Group A finale.

Wales are already assured of a place in the World Cup play-offs due to their Nations League exploits but are still chasing second place in Group E. The Dragons could secure a home semi-final if runners-up to Belgium and will boost those hopes with a convincing victory.

England have made hard work of getting over the finishing line in the race to reach Qatar 2022 but should edge closer by beating Albania. The Three Lions are three points ahead of Poland and five clear of their next opponents in World Cup Group I.

Scotland will be going all out to secure a fifth straight Group F win and clinch a place in the World Cup play-offs by beating Moldova in Chisinau. Steve Clarke is no doubt keen to avoid having to get anything out of their final fixture versus runaway pool leaders Denmark.

Northern Ireland’s World Cup hopes were dashed some time ago but they have been far from disgraced in Group C and can see off Lithuania. Ian Baraclough’s side romped to a 4-1 win when these teams met in Vilnius a couple of months ago and can confirm that superiority.

Ireland can’t qualify for the World Cup and are expected to struggle against Portugal, who are chasing top spot in Group A. However, the visitors may have one eye on Sunday’s crucial clash with Serbia, which will ultimately decide who qualifies automatically.

Uruguay are always tough to beat in Montevideo World Cup qualifiers but Argentina have been in red-hot form this year and are hard to resist. La Albiceleste have followed up their Copa America triumph by claiming 13 points out of the last 15 in the South American section.