Explainers

EUROPEAN champions risk going from heroes to zeroes in the space of less than nine months.The Azzurri won the Euros against England at Wembley last July, but now face missing out on the World Cup.
Jorginho missed penalties at home and away to group winners SwitzerlandCredit: Getty
North Macedonia will look to upset the odds and qualify for their second successive major tournamentCredit: Getty
A goalless draw against Northern Ireland in Belfast saw the Italians fail to make it to Qatar automatically, despite going through the entire qualifying campaign unbeaten.
Switzerland were the beneficiaries of that result as they finished top of the group, condemning Roberto Mancini’s side to a play-off at home to North Macedonia.
And to make matters worse, the play-off draw then handed them a likely away tie against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal if they win this match.
Italy’s Balkan opponents have come on leaps and bounds as a football power, qualifying for their first ever tournament when they reached Euro 2020.
And the Italians will be well aware that the North Macedonians beat Germany away in qualifying, so they can’t expect this one to be a formality.
What time does Italy vs North Macedonia kick off?

Italy take on North Macedonia on Thursday, March 24.
The match kicks off at 7.45pm UK time – 8.45pm in Italy and North Macedonia.
It takes place at the Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo.
The sides last met in 2017 when an equaliser from Aleksandar Trajkovski saw North Macedonia earn a surprise 1-1 draw in World Cup 2018 qualifying in Turin. Italy would go on to miss out on the World Cup.

What TV channel is Italy vs North Macedonia on and can I live stream it?

Italy vs North Macedonia is live on Sky Sports Arena.
Coverage commences at 7.40pm – five minutes before kick-off.
To stream the game live, head to Sky Go or Now TV.

Team news
Italy
Brazil-born duo Luiz Felipe and Joao Pedro have been called up to the Italy squad for this play-off.
However, there’s no emotional return for Mario Balotelli, who Roberto Mancini had recalled to his previous squad.
Centre-back Alessio Romagnoli has also failed to make the cut.
Italy are also without the star of the Euro 2020 final, Federico Chiesa, who missed out with a knee injury.
Defender Leonardo Spinazzola has been out since the European Championship with a ruptured achilles tendon and will play no part in this one.
There are also concerns over the condition of Lorenzo Insigne, Nicolo Barella and captain Giorgio Chiellini and the performances of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Manager Roberto Mancini has even confirmed that Chiellini is only likely to play in one of the two World Cup play-off matches, assuming Italy reach the final.
North Macedonia
Key midfielders Eljif Elmas and Tihomir Kostadinov are both out for North Macedonia while striker Adis Jahovic is also out.
Serie A legend Goran Pandev is unavailable after retiring from international football following Euro 2020 last summer.
That could lead Trajkovski to lead the line as he looks to get one over on Italy again.
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Latest odds
To win in 90 minutes
Italy 2/13
Draw 13/2
North Macedonia 15/1
To qualify
Italy 1/20
North Macedonia 9/1
What they said
Italy manager Roberto Mancini is in confident mood ahead of the play-off semi-final.
He said: “I am optimistic because I have players who won Euro 2020 starting from nothing when nobody believed in us.
“We must think about what we did to have more self-confidence, the team is solid and with quality.
“Our goal is to win the World Cup. To do it we have to start by winning these two games.
“We want to go to the World Cup to win it.” More

RIYAD MAHREZ and Algeria are looking to make a return to the World Cup as they face Cameroon over two legs.The Fennec Foxes have been an enigma in recent years as they missed out on the 2018 World Cup, but then won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2019 and the Fifa Arab Cup in December.
Cameroon made it to the semi-final of the Africa Cup of NationsCredit: AP
Riyad Mahrez and co had a disastrous Afcon campaignCredit: AFP
However they followed these triumphs up with a wretched Afcon last month in which they came bottom of a group containing Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
2017 Afcon champions Cameroon also failed to qualify for the last World Cup and will be looking to put things right this time around.
The Indomitable Lions were hosts of this year’s Africa Cup of Nations, in which they reached the semi-final before being knocked out on penalties by Egypt and Mo Salah.
But their preparations for this match have been rocked by goalkeeper Andre Onana being involved in a car crash.
What time does Cameroon vs Algeria kick off?

Cameroon host Algeria on Friday, March 25.
The match kicks off at 5pm UK time – 6pm in both Cameroon and Algeria.
It takes place at the Japoma Stadium, Douala.
The sides last met in 2017 when Cameroon picked up a 2-0 win in World Cup qualifying.

What TV channel is Cameroon vs Algeria on and can I live stream it free?
Cameroon vs Algeria is not on UK television.
But fear not, you can watch all the action legally via free streaming service Mola TV.
Team news
Cameroon squad
Goalkeepers: Simon Omossola (AS Vita Club, DR Congo), Devis Epassy (OFI Crete, Greece), Andre Onana (Ajax, Netherlands).
Defenders: Collins Fai (Standard Liege, Belgium), Olivier Mbaizo (Philadelphia Union, USA), Michael Ngadeu-Ngadjui (Gent, Belgium), JC Castelletto (Nantes, France), Harold Moukoudi (St Etienne, France), Tchamba Duplexe (Sonderjyske)
Midfielders: Jean Onana Junior (Bordeaux, France), Malong Kunde (Olympiakos, Greece), Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Napoli, Italy), Samuel Gouet Oum (Mechelen, Belgium), Martin Hongla (Hellas Verona, Italy), Ntcham Olivier (Swansea), Fuchs Jeando (Peterborough), Ondoa Gael (Hannover 96)
Forwards: Ignatius Ganago (Lens, France), Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (Bayern Munich, Germany), Karl Toko-Ekambi (Lyon, France), Moumi Ngamaleu (Young Boys, Switzerland), Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nasr, Saudi Arabia), Wassu Patient (Coton Sport), Soni Kevin (Asteras Tripoli), Tawamba Leandre (Al-Taawoun FC)
Algeria squad
Goalkeepers: Rais M’Bolhi (Al-Etiffaq), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz), Moustapha Zeghba (Damac FC)
Defenders: Aissa Mandi (Villarreal), Abdelkader Bedrane (Espérance Tunis), Mehdi Tahrat (Al-Gharafa), Djamel Benlamri (Qatar SC), Ahmed Touba (RKC Waalwijk), Youcef Atal (Nice), Houcine Benayada (ES Sahel), Youcef Laouafi (ES Sahel), Ramy Bensebaini (Mönchengladbach)
Midfielders: Ramiz Zerrouki (Twente), Hichem Boudadoui (Nice), Sofiane Bendebka (Al Fateh), Adlene Guedioura (Burton Albion), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasaray), Ismaël Bennacer (AC Milan)
Strikers: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City), Rachid Ghezzal (Besiktas), Youcef Belaïli (Brest), Mohamed Benyettou (Al-Wakrah SC), Ishak Belfodil (Hertha Berlin), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon)
Latest odds
Cameroon 23/20
Draw 9/5
Algeria 13/5
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday, March 23
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EGYPT and Senegal are rekindling their rivalry as Mo Salah and Sadio Mane eye a place in the World Cup.But only one of the two Liverpool talismen will be on the plane to Qatar as the sides lock horns in a two-legged play-off.
No Salah and Egypt are looking to dump Afcon winners Senegal out of the World CupCredit: Getty
Sadio Mane and Senegal will be hoping for a repeat of the Africa Cup of Nations finalCredit: AFP
Salah’s Pharoahs will be desperate not only to make the World Cup, but also to earn revenge of the Lions of Teranga after they were beaten on penalties in the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Both of these sides would have fancied their chances against any other play-off opponent after breezing through their respective qualifying groups.
Egypt won 14 of a possible 18 points as they went unbeaten in a group also containing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s Gabon.
And Senegal claimed 16 of 18 points from Togo, Namibia and Congo before landing the Egyptians in an extremely unkind draw.
What time does Egypt vs Senegal kick off?

Egypt’s first leg against Senegal takes place on Friday, March 25.
The match kicks off at 8.30pm UK and Senegalese time – 10.30pm in Egypt.
It takes place at the Cairo International Stadium.

Is Egypt vs Senegal on TV and can I live stream it free?
Egypt vs Senegal is not on UK television.
But fear not, you can watch all the action legally via free streaming service Mola TV.
Team news
Egypt squad
Goalkeepers: Mohamed El-Shennawy (Al Ahly), Mohamed Abou-Gabal (Zamalek), Mohamed Sobhi (Pharco FC)
Defenders: Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Abdelmomen, Ayman Ashraf (Al Ahly), Omar Kamal (Future FC), Omar Gaber (Pyramids FC), Mahmoud Hamdy El-Wensh, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Fatouh (Zamalek)
Midfielders: Hamdi Fathi, Amr El-Sulya, Mohamed Magdy Afsha (Al Ahly), Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal), Nabil Emad Dunga (Pyramids FC), Emam Ashour (Zamalek)
Forwards: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Omar Marmoush (VfB Stuttgart), Mahmoud Hassan Trezeguet (Istanbul Basaksehir), Mostafa Mohamed (Galatasaray), Marwan Hamdi (Smouha), Ahmed Sayed Zizo (Zamalek)
Senegal squad
Goalkeepers: Edouard Mendy (Chelsea, England), Alioune Badara Faty (Casa Sport), Bingourou Camara (Sporting Charleroi, Belgium)
Defenders: Bouna Sarr (Bayern Munich, Germany), Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy) Abdou Diallo (PSG), Saliou Ciss (AS Nancy France), Pape Abou Cisse (Olympiakos, Greece), Fode-Ballo Toure (AC Milan, Italy), Youssouf Sabaly (Sevilla, Spain), Abdoulaye Seck (Antwerp, Belgium)
Midfielders: Idrissa Gana Gueye (PSG, France), Nampalys Mendy (Leicester City, England), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England), Pape Matar Sarr (Metz, France), Moustapha Name (Paris FC, France), Loum Ndiaye (FC Porto, Portugal), Pape Gueye (Marseille, France)
Forwards: Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England), Ismaila Sarr (Watford, England), Famara Diedhiou (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Bamba Dieng (Marseille, France), Keita Balde Diao (Cagliari, Italy), Habib Diallo (Strasbourg, France), Mame Baba Thiam (Kayserispor, Turkey), Boulaye Dia (Villarreal, Spain)
Latest odds
Egypt 17/10
Draw 13/8
Senegal 9/5
*Odds from Betfair correct as of Tuesday, March 22
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SWEDEN will look to put their poor form behind them as they take on Czech Republic in a World Cup playoff semi-final this Thursday.The Swedes lost back-to-back group games against Georgia and Spain but eventually managed to clinch second place in group B.
The veteran Zlatan Ibrahimović is expected start up front along side Alexander Isak.Credit: EPA
Czech Republic will be without Bundesliga star Patrick Schick, who suffered a muscle injury despite making the initial squad.
The last time these two sides met was all the way back in 2016 in a friendly which resulted in a 1-1 draw.
The winner of this match will visit Poland in the play-off final.
The Poles received an automatic final berth after their opponents Russia were kicked out of the World Cup following the invasion of Ukraine.
What time does Sweden vs Czech Republic kick off?

Sweden vs Czech Republic on Thursday, March 24.
The match kicks off at 7:45pm in the UK.
It takes place at the Friends Arena in Sweden.

What TV channel is Sweden vs Czech Republic on and can I live stream it?

Sweden vs Czech Republic is live on Sky Sports
Coverage commences at 7.40pm – 5 minutes before kick off.
To stream the game live, head to Sky Go or Now TV.

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Team news
Sweden
40 year old Zlatan Ibrahimovic is fit and raring to go ahead of what will surely be his last World Cup if Sweden were to qualify.
Alexander Isaak hasn’t been in his best form this season with just eight goals in 33 apps, but the young Swede is still being linked heavily to Arsenal.
Captain Victor Lindelof is fit and is expected to start despite all the noise surrounding the Manchester United camp.
Czech Republic
No Schick for the Czech Republic after the Bayer Leverkusen forward failed to recover from injury in time for Thursday’s fixture.
There is no rest for Czech captain Tomas Soucek after his header helped West Ham through to the Europa League quarter-finals last week.
But fellow West Ham team mate Vladimir Coufal is out injured, after he had surgery on a groin injury back in February.
Latest odds
Sweden Evens
Draw 21/10
Czech Republic 3/1
(Odds via Betfair) More