Intercontinental playoffs: Matchups set as Costa Rica keeps World Cup bid alive
The contestants for the final two berths at this year's World Cup are set.
Costa Rica became the last nation to nab a place in the intercontinental playoffs, finishing fourth in CONCACAF qualifying after a 2-0 win over the United States on Wednesday night; the Americans, along with Mexico, secured automatic World Cup tickets.
Costa Rica, led by Paris Saint-Germain shot-stopper Keylor Navas, will now meet New Zealand in June after Danny Hay's side beat the Solomon Islands 5-0 on Wednesday to once again carry the flag for Oceania in the playoffs.
The other fixture pits Peru, the fifth-place finisher from South American qualifying, against one of Australia or the United Arab Emirates. The latter pair are scheduled to tangle on June 6 or 7, with the winner representing the Asian confederation in the playoffs the following week.
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 13 or 14 | Costa Rica vs. New Zealand | TBD (Qatar) |
| June 13 or 14 | Peru vs. Australia or UAE | TBD (Qatar) |
The two playoff winners will take part in the World Cup, which is slated to begin in November.
The intercontinental playoffs were originally intended to be two-legged, home-and-away affairs played in March, but the format was altered amid the sport's widespread calendar changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.