Qatar World Cup: Eleven European nations battle for one of three places in finals

Ten European nations have qualified for the 2022 World Cup and only three spots remain.

Eleven countries are still dreaming of earning their places at the tournament in Qatar in November and December, including Scotland, Wales, European champions Italy, Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden

The play-off situation is a slightly different one now to that presented when the draw was made back in November, following Fifa's response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia, who were due to face Poland, have been disqualified from the competition, while Ukraine's path A semi-final with Scotland has been postponed until June.

The 11 countries have been split into three sections, with only one nation advancing from each path.

Here we look at each country's World Cup record and what they need to do to join Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Serbia, Spain and Switzerland at world football's greatest show.

World Cup record: Third (1954), fourth (1934), second round (1978, 1982), group stage (1958, 1990, 1998).

Austria are aiming to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1998 and will be Wales' semi-final opponents in Cardiff.

They only finished fourth in their World Cup qualifying group (the same group as Scotland) but are in the play-offs as one of two nations who qualified because of their Nations League performance.

Real Madrid defender David Alaba and ex-West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic are among their major players.

World Cup record: Group stage (1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1998).

Like Austria, Scotland are hoping to qualify for their first World Cup in 24 years.

Steve Clarke's side, who played at Euro 2020, finished second in World Cup qualifying Group F — only