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As it happenedended

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World Cup play-off draw as it happened: Northern Ireland to play Switzerland, Republic of Ireland against Denmark

Relive the 2018 World Cup play-off draw from Zurich

Tuesday 17 October 2017 13:51 BST

Northern Ireland were one of the eight countries in the draw — Northern Ireland were one of the eight countries in the draw (Getty)

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland discovered their World Cup play-off fate on Tuesday.

Michael O'Neill's team will play Switzerland, ranked 11th in the world who finished second in their qualification group behind Portugal.

Meanwhile, Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland team will play Denmark.

More details below...

When is the draw?

The draw will be held in Zurich on Tuesday 17 October, with the ceremony getting underway at 13:00 BST [14:00 local].

What is the format?

The eight teams will be drawn into four pairs. The teams with the four highest Fifa rankings are seeded for the draw.

Who is in it?

Switzerland (seeded)
Italy (seeded)
Denmark (seeded)
Croatia (seeded)
Sweden
Northern Ireland
Greece
Republic of Ireland

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Show all 33

1/332018 World Cup group-by-group guide

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Who's qualified for the 2018 World Cup?

Bongarts/Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group A: Russia

Coach:Stanislav Cherchesov
Star player:Fyodor Smolov
World Cup best:First round 1994, 2002, 2014 (Soviet Union finished fourth in 1966)
Russia qualified automatically as hosts and will be desperate to improve their poor recent record at major tournaments. They have not won a match since Euro 2012 and, since the break up of the Soviet Union, have not progressed from the World Cup group stage.

Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group A: Saudi Arabia

Coach:Edgardo Bauza
Star player:Mohammad Al-Sahlawi
World Cup best:Second round 1994
After qualifying for four consecutive tournaments between 1994 and 2006, Saudi Arabia missed out in 2010 and 2014 but are back after finishing ahead of Australia in their qualifying group.

AFP/Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group A: Saudi Arabia

Coach:Hector Cuper
Star player:Mohamed Salah
World Cup best:First round 1934, 1990
Egypt will make only their third appearance at a World Cup finals and their first since 1990 after booking their place in Russia with victory over Congo. Runners-up to Cameroon in this year's African Nations Cup.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group A: Uruguay

Coach:Oscar Tabarez
Star player:Luis Suarez
World Cup best:Winners 1930, 1950
Uruguay's last World Cup campaign was overshadowed by Suarez's bite on Giorgio Chiellini and expulsion from the tournament but they qualified impressively for Russia and possess undoubted firepower.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group B: Portugal

Coach:Fernando Santos
Star player:Cristiano Ronaldo
World Cup best:Third place 1966
Portugal enjoyed a real battle with Switzerland for automatic qualification but came out on top. Looking to continue their unbeaten run at tournaments after winning their first major title at Euro 2016.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group B: Spain

Coach:Julen Lopetegui
Star player:Isco
World Cup best:Winners 2010
The previously all-conquering Spanish suffered the ignominy of group stage exits at the 2014 World Cup and 2016 European Championship. The squad has seen evolution rather than revolution.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group B: Morocco

Coach:Herve Renard
Star player:Medhi Benatia
World Cup best:Second round 1986
Well-travelled coach Renard will have relished beating his former employers Ivory Coast to top spot in a tough qualifying group. The North Africans are back at the finals for the first time since 1998.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group B: Iran

Coach:Carlos Queiroz
Star player:Sardar Azmoun
World Cup best:First round 1978, 1998, 2006, 2014
This will be Iran's fourth appearance from the last six World Cup finals, but their only victory came against the USA in 1998. Won their final qualifying group ahead of South Korea.

Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group C: France

Coach:Didier Deschamps
Star player:Antoine Griezmann
World Cup best:Winners 1998
Knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2014, France have built a hugely impressive squad and will hope to make up for their near miss on home soil in Euro 2016, when they lost in the final to Portugal.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group C: Australia

Coach:N/A
Star player:Aaron Mooy
World Cup best:Second round 2006 Completing a quintet of qualifiers from the Asian groups, Australia conquered Honduras over two play-off legs. Were pointless at Brazil 2014 and long-serving talisman Tim Cahill is on the wane.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group C: Peru

Coach:Ricardo Gareca
Star player:Jefferson Farfán
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 1970
Will be appearing at their first World Cup since 1982 after they beat New Zealand 2-0 on aggregate in the play-offs.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group C: Denmark

Coach:Age Hareide
Star player:Christian Eriksen
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 1998
After missing out in 2014, Eriksen propelled Denmark back to the World Cup finals with a hat-trick in their play-off victory over the Republic of Ireland. The Danes failed to get out of their group on their last appearance in 2010.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group D: Argentina

Coach:Jorge Sampaoli
Star player:Lionel Messi
World Cup best:Winners 1978, 1986
A nervy qualification campaign saw one of world football's great powers book their place at the last opportunity with victory over Ecuador but the losing finalists in 2014 will be looking to go one better.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group D: Iceland

Coach:Heimir Hallgrimsson
Star player:Gylfi Sigurdsson
World Cup best:Debut
The smallest nation by population ever to qualify for the World Cup finals, Iceland followed up their Euro 2016 heroics by topping a group featuring Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group D: Croatia

Coach:Zlatko Dalic
Star player:Luka Modric
World Cup best:Third place 1998
Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic make for one of the best creative midfields in the tournament but they have failed to make it out of their group on their last three appearances since reaching the semi-finals at France 98.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group D: Nigeria

Coach:Salisu Yusuf
Star player:Victor Moses
World Cup best:Second round 1994, 1998, 2014
A very impressive qualifying campaign booked Nigeria's place in Russia. The Super Eagles have only missed one of the last seven tournaments but 2014's victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina was their first since 1998.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group E: Brazil

Coach:Tite
Star player:Neymar
World Cup best:Winners 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
The five-time champions were the first team other than hosts Russia to qualify for the tournament after a very impressive campaign. Brazil have not made a World Cup final since their last title in 2002.

Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group E: Switzerland

Coach:Vladimir Petkovic
Star player:Xherdan Shaqiri
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 1934, 1938, 1954
Qualified for their fourth straight World Cup by beating Northern Ireland in a play-off via a controversial penalty. They have made it out of their group in two of the previous three and that will be the minimum aim this time around.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group E: Costa Rica

Coach:Oscar Ramirez
Star player:Keylor Navas
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 2014
Finished second in CONCACAF qualifying, with the highlight being a 4-0 victory over the United States. Will be hard pushed to match their 2014 performance, when they beat Italy, Uruguay and Greece before losing to Holland on penalties.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group E: Serbia

Coach:Mladen Krstajic (caretaker)
Star player:Nemanja Matic
World Cup best:First round 2010 (Yugoslavia finished fourth in 1930 and 1962, Serbia and Montenegro reached the second round in 1998)
Qualifying for a first major tournament since the 2010 World Cup was not enough to save manager Slavoljub Muslin from the sack. Finished top of a group featuring the Republic of Ireland and Wales.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group F: Germany

Coach:Joachim Low
Star player:Toni Kroos
World Cup best:Winners 2014 (West Germany were champions in 1954, 1974 and 1990)
The reigning champions qualified in style, winning all 10 of their games, scoring 43 goals and conceding only four. Their golden generation is ageing but remains a force and has been enhanced by young blood.

Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group F: Mexico

Coach:Juan Carlos Osorio
Star player:Javier Hernandez
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 1970, 1986
Mexico are traditionally the strongest team in the CONCACAF region and again qualified comfortably. They have reached the second round at the last six tournaments without once going further.

AFP/Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group F: Sweden

Coach:Janne Andersson
Star player:Andreas Granqvist
World Cup best:Runners-up 1958
They may be missing Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Sweden qualified for their first World Cup since 2006 with a play-off win over four-time champions Italy. They also finished above Holland in a tough qualifying group which was headed by France.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group F: South Korea

Coach:Shin Tae-yong
Star player:Son Heung-min
World Cup best:Fourth place 2002
South Korea qualified for their ninth consecutive World Cup finals despite an indifferent campaign. They have only won two matches since finishing fourth as co-hosts in 2002.

Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group G: Belgium

Coach:Roberto Martinez
Star player:Kevin De Bruyne
World Cup best:Fourth place 1986
Unbeaten in qualifying, Belgium's hugely talented squad will be hoping to build on their quarter-final appearance four years ago having reached the same stage at Euro 2016.

AFP/Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group G: Panama

Coach:Hernan Dario Gomez
Star player:Gabriel Torres
World Cup best:Debut
Panama have been edging closer to reaching the World Cup finals for the first time in recent tournaments and crossed the line this time thanks to a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Costa Rica in their final qualifier.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group G: Tunisia

Coach:Nabil Maaloul
Star player:Wahbi Khazi
World Cup best:Group stage 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006
After appearing at three consecutive finals without winning a single group game, Tunisia missed the last two editions. Unbeaten in qualifying, they defeated DR Congo to Russia by a point, with a last-round draw against Libya proving enough for a squad compromised largely of Tunisia-based players.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group G: England

Coach:Gareth Southgate
Star player:Harry Kane
World Cup best:Winners 1966
A comfortable qualification campaign did nothing to boost optimism for England's chances in Russia. A first major tournament in charge for Southgate, with the Three Lions having failed to reach the quarter-finals at the last two World Cups.

AFP/Getty Images

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group H: Poland

Coach:Adam Nawalka
Star player:Robert Lewandowski
World Cup best:Third place 1974, 1982
Poland are back at the World Cup finals for the first time since 2006 after comfortably topping their qualifying group. The last time they progressed beyond the group stages was 1986.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group H: Senegal

Coach:Aliou Cisse
Star player:Sadio Mane
World Cup best:Quarter-final 2002
The surprise package at the 2002 World Cup - they memorably beat hosts France - Senegal missed three editions of the tournament before securing their return by beating South Africa in a replayed group match. The original result was annulled after referee Joseph Lamptey was expelled by FIFA.

Getty

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group H: Colombia

Coach:Jose Pekerman
Star player:Radamel Falcao
World Cup best:Quarter-finals 2014
Colombia's star has waned a little since their brilliant showing in 2014, when they reached the last eight and were narrowly and controversially beaten by Brazil. Finished fourth in South American qualifying.

2018 World Cup group-by-group guide

Group H: Japan

Coach:Vahid Halilhodzic
Star player:Shinji Kagawa
World Cup best:Second round 2002, 2010
Will be appearing at their sixth consecutive World Cup finals after winning their qualification group. Did not win any of their three group games at the 2014 tournament.

Getty Images

When are the games?

The play-off first legs will be played between Thursday 9 and Saturday 11 November, with the second legs between Sunday 12 and Tuesday 14 November. Uefa will confirm home and away legs after the draw.

When is the World Cup draw?

The final draw for the tournament will be held in Moscow on Friday 1 December.

When is the World Cup?

The 2018 World Cup in Russia will start on 14 June and finish with the final in Moscow 15 July.

Just five minutes to go...

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 12:54

Looks like Fifa are experiencing some technical issues, for those of you attempting to watch the draw on their official website...

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 12:56

The draw is expected to get underway shortly. Here's a reminder of the countries who have already qualified...

Africa: Egypt, Nigeria

Asia: Iran, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea

Europe: Belgium, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain

North, Central America and Caribbean: Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama

South America: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:02

Here we go!

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:07

Play-off 1: Northern Ireland vs Switzerland

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:07

Play-off 2: Croatia vs Greece

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:08

Play-off 3: Denmark vs Republic of Ireland

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:09

Play-off 4: Sweden vs Italy

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:09

Confirmation of the World Cup European play-off matches:

Northern Ireland vs Switzerland

Croatia vs Greece

Denmark vs Republic of Ireland

Sweden vs Italy

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:10

Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland discover their World Cup play-off fate

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 October 2017 13:13

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