World Cup qualifiers have a new format but a similarly difficult outlook for Ireland

For starters, despite the expanded 48-team showpiece offering 16 instead of the previous 13 places for European teams, only the winners across the 12 groups are guaranteed direct tickets

Ireland are third seed with Scotland and Northern Ireland

Welcome to a new World Cup qualifying format but a similarly difficult outlook for Ireland.

Not since the draw for the 2006 World Cup have Ireland been higher than third seeds.