World Cup play-offs Q&A

What is the point of the play-offs?

The two-legged ties will determine the four sides who will join Europe’s nine group winners - France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, and Iceland — at Russia 2018. The eight best second-placed teams (Slovakia missed out despite finishing runners-up to England in Group F) will battle for the four remaining qualifying spots. Joining Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland in the draw are: Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Italy, Greece, and Croatia.

How will the draw work?