March International Break: Three intriguing managerial 2022 World Cup talking points

We already know 15 of the 32 countries who will be present in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, and over the next two weeks many of the other spots will be filled too, with one or two potential big guns missing out.

Given that there’s all to play for across the continents during March’s international break, we’ve picked out three intriguing managerial talking points…

Roberto Mancini’s European Champs Italy could fail to qualify for the World Cup

After he transformed the Italian national team from a directionless splattering of individuals to European Champions, it was inconceivable that Roberto Mancini would then fail to lead his country to the 2022 World Cup.

Well, Italy failed the first test, suffering a Euro 2020 hangover as they were pipped to top spot in qualifying Group C by the Swiss. The Italians may not have lost a game but drawing half of their eight matches severely cost them; having been held by the likes of Northern Ireland and Bulgaria.

As a result, Italy now face the nerve-shredding lottery of the play-offs where they face North Macedonia in a one-off shoot-out on Thursday for a place in the final. North Macedonia previously humiliated Germany in Germany last year, so there’s not even a guarantee that Mancini's men will face-off against either 2016 Euro winners Portugal or Turkey for a place in Qatar.

Failing to make consecutive World Cups would be absolutely devastating for the Azzurri, who have remarkably only won one World Cup match since lifting the trophy for the fourth time in 2006 (yes, it was against Roy Hodgson’s England).

An English manager bidding to make history with Canada

Englishman John Herdman may not be a household name in his own country, but over in Canada he’s making a real name for himself as manager of the Canucks national team.

Appointed in January 2018 after previously managing Canada Women, Herdman is now on the cusp of propelling the men's team to their first World Cup since 1986, which is the only time they’ve ever featured on the grandest stage.

Unbeaten Canada are four points clear of USA and Mexico at the top of the CONCACAF qualifying table with 25 points from 11 games, meaning they can book their spot in Qatar with a win away to Costa Rica on Friday, although a draw combined with a Panama draw or defeat to Honduras would also see them progress.

It's undoubtedly one of football's great underdog stories right now, cue scenes of absolute pandemonium in Canada if they bag that prized place.

Egypt and Senegal face-off in repeat of AFCON Final

The third round of CAF qualification matches take place during this international break, with 10 African countries going head-to-head in two-legged ties. The five winners will progress through to the World Cup.

The stand-out tie is between Carlos Queiroz’s Egypt and Aliou Cissé’s Senegal, just six weeks after their AFCON Final, which Senegal won on penalties. This also means that Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Mo Salah must do battle once again: jubilation for the victor, heartbreak for the unfortunate player who misses out.

Cisse, who was part of Senegal’s famous 2002 World Cup side, managed his country at the 2018 World Cup but agonisingly missed out on the knockout-stages due to the fair play tiebreaker; receiving more yellow cards than Japan who went through in second place.

Meanwhile, the well-travelled Queiroz has previously managed in the World Cup with South Africa (2002), Portugal (2010) and Iran (2014 and 2018).