Soccer-Italy and Portugal on collision course in World Cup playoffs

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Euro 2020 - Group E - Sweden v Poland - Saint Petersburg Stadium, Saint Petersburg, Russia - June 23, 2021 Poland players pose for a team group photo before the match Pool via REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov

ZURICH (Reuters) -The last two European champions, Italy and Portugal, could face off for a spot at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after they were drawn on Friday in the same path for the playoffs.

The 12 teams -- 10 of which finished runners-up in their groups -- were split into three four-team paths, each with its own semi-finals and final. Seeded teams were guaranteed a home game in the semi-finals.