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World Cup playoff draw: Italy face Sweden

Jonathan Harding
October 17, 2017

Not all of the spots for the 2018 World Cup draw have been filled, but with the playoff draw having been held, the final 32 is a step closer to being complete. The draw has delivered some exciting matchups.

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Fußball Stars, deren Teams sich nicht für die WM qualifiziert haben | Buffon Italien
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As the race to qualify for the 2018 Russia World Cup hots up, the draw for the best second-placed teams was made on Tuesday.

Four-time World Cup champions Italy are to face Sweden, but will play away first. To make the tournament, Northern Ireland will have to beat Switzerland. After their dramatic victory against Wales in the group stage, Ireland have been rewarded with a draw against Denmark while Croatia will take on Greece.

The first legs are to be played between November 9 and 11, with the second legs following on the 12 to the 14 of next month.

The four winners are to be placed in the World Cup draw to be held on December 1 in the State Kremlin Palace in Moscow.