Which way does the Czech national team go to the World Championship in Qatar? Bargaining almost certain, important to be ahead of Wales

After the Czech national team lost 0:3 in Belgium, it is almost clear that they will not reach the first place in the qualifying group. Although the barrier is almost certain, it is still important to finish ahead of Wales.

The Czechs are almost assured of a barrier thanks to the Nations League. This is because ten teams from the second places in the qualifying groups, plus the two group winners from the Nations League, will qualify for the World Cup barrage in Qatar. The Czech national team dominated one of the groups in Division B last autumn, which could be crucial now.

The top four places are taken by the national teams that won their groups in Division A, i.e. France, Belgium, Italy, Spain. All of these teams can be expected to secure qualification for the World Cup from their qualifying group, so the two vacant spots will go to Division B.

There, Wales are in first place on points, followed by Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary. The Czechs therefore only need five of the six higher ranked teams to secure their participation or barrage to the World Championship from their qualifying group. The fact that Wales are in our group together with Belgium also helps us.

Still, it is not worth omitting the rest of the Qualifiers. After all, it is better to qualify from the second place of the Qualifiers than from the Nations League. The Barrage will be played in a spider-style, with twelve teams forming three spiders of four, with the winner of each spider advancing.

The semi-finals and the final will be played to a single match. The teams will be divided into seeded and unseeded teams, with the semi-finals always played on home soil by the seeded team. Therefore, it is very important that the Czechs finish second in the Qualification and collect as many points as possible.

Source: Deník Sport, Livesport