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

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

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.

Key Points

• Northern Ireland vs Switzerland
• Croatia vs Greece
• Denmark vs Republic of Ireland
• Sweden vs Italy

[17 October 2017 13:16 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

I think both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland will be relatively happy with that! 

Switzerland are actually the highest-placed of those eight countries in the much maligned Fifa rankings, at 11th in the world (one place above England). But they were poor against Portugal and arguably not as dangerous as Italy or Croatia.

Denmark where meanwhile the lowest ranked of the seeds and only sit seven places above the Republic in the rankings. It's the best possible draw for Martin O'Neill and his side.

[17 October 2017 13:22 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

Here's Michael O'Neill offering his thoughts on the draw...

We're pleased with the draw. We're pleased to miss Italy and Croatia. Switzerland will be a formidable opponent but I do believe they are an opponent we can overcome. 

It's a game I think we're capable of winning over 180 minutes. Switzerland had a great campaign but I think their qualification group was possibly the easiest.

[17 October 2017 13:24 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

[17 October 2017 13:36 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

And here's the Republic of Ireland's manager, Martin O'Neill, offering his thoughts on the draw:

Naturally, we're just pleased to be in the draw. Being unseeded means it was always going to be a difficult tie. We're delighted to be in it.

I know the Denmark manager, we used to play together. It will be an interesting confrontation.

If you ask most coaches, you want the second game at home. But with the rules like extra time, it gives the away team that chance to score in 120 minutes.

We have momentum and that's important. We won last two games to get here. I'm now concerned with the next couple of weeks and making sure my players don't get injuries at club level.

[17 October 2017 13:48 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

A reminder: Two-legged ties to be played Nov. 9-11 and Nov. 12-14.

[17 October 2017 13:49 · Vithushan Ehantharajah]

That's all from the draw in Zurich, thanks for joining me!