The new UEFA playoff format that may make it difficult for Cristiano Ronaldo to qualify for the World Cup

Football fans may witness a strange World Cup next year, Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski and Zlatan Ibrahimovic may be absent from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar due to the new play-off format that will make it difficult for them to qualify. 

The UEFA second round of the qualification tournament for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, also known as the UEFA play-off will be played by 12 teams. The play-offs will determine the final three European teams that will join the group winners at the World Cup in Qatar. This will include ten runners-up from the UEFA First Round groups, and will be joined by two group winners from the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League.

The twelve teams will be divided into three paths with each containing four teams, with each play-off path featuring two single-leg semi-finals, and one single-leg final. Unlike before where the teams will play a two leg game. The final will be determined by penalty after 30 minutes of extra time and the winner will qualify for the FIFA World Cup. 

The nine matches will take place in March 2022, with each play-off path playing two single-leg semi-finals on 24–25 March, and one single-leg final on 28–29 March 2022. This is much more difficult than the old format with little chance of survival. This is the dangerous route that Cristiano Ronaldo will be forced to take in order to secure a point in Qatar come next year.