World Cup 2022: Two more spots at Qatar confirmed with three play-off places remaining

Only three places at the 2022 World Cup remain up for grabs after Mexico and the United States both booked their tickets to Qatar.

Joining group winners Canada in qualifying from North America, the duo wrapped up their campaigns in contrasting fashion but each made it through. Ahead of the draw on Friday, Mexico secured second spot and a place in Pot 2 with the help of Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Raul Jimenez, as El Tri beat beat El Salvador 2-0 at the Estadio Azteca.

Meanwhile in San Jose, Costa Rica, the United States were beaten by 2-0 but still advanced to become a second seed, as they only had to avoid losing by less than six goals on the final matchday of the CONCACAF qualifiers. The win was still important to the hosts, who consolidated fourth and set up an intercontinental play-off with New Zealand.

The All Whites smashed the Solomon Islands 5-0 on Wednesday, with Newcastle United's Chris Wood getting on the scoresheet. New Zealand are now set to face Costa Rica away from home on Monday, June 13. By then, Australia will have played the United Arab Emirates in Doha, with the winner of that clash facing off against Peru.

Finally, Wales - fresh from beating Austria last week - will welcome either Scotland or Ukraine to Cardiff for the final European decider, as their play-off semi-final was postponed until June due to the ongoing war. Those involved in the remaining play-offs will be in Pot 4 during Friday's draw which begins at around 5pm BST and will map out this year's competition.

From the qualifiers in Europe that managed to go ahead this week, Cristiano Ronaldo 's Portugal and Robert Lewandowski 's Poland progressed, beating North Macedonia and Sweden respectively. While the story of the week