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Who Ireland could face in World Cup play-offs after beating Wales
IRELAND inched closer to the World Cup finals with a 1-0 win over Wales but who could they face in the play-offs?
James McClean secured Ireland's place in the World Cup play-offs
Ireland edged out Wales in Group D for a spot in the play-offs thanks to a second-half strike from West Brom midfielder James McClean.
The 1-0 result means Martin O’Neill’s side progress and will be in the draw for the play-offs which takes place next Tuesday.
But who can the Irish expect to face in the two-legged affairs? Express Sport takes you through it.
The eight teams currently in the the play-offs are: Italy, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Greece, Croatia and Ireland.
James McClean's second-half strike was the difference between the two sides
Ben Woodburn's stunning assist for Wales against Moldova
However, the top four will be seeded based on the FIFA world rankings that will be revealed on October 17th.
Sweden and Greece sealed their places as runners-up in Groups A and H.
And the eighth and final place in the play-offs was taken by Group B’s clash between Switzerland after Portugal topped the group with a 2-0 win over the Swiss.
As only eight teams go from the nine groups, Slovakia will miss out with the lowest points tally of all the second-placed sides.
Ireland can expect to face the following seeded sides - Switzerland, Italy, Croatia or Denmark.
However, the FIFA world rankings are updated later this month, after which the seeded teams will be selected, meaning it could be tight between Denmark and Sweden.
The play-offs are a two-legged format and will take place on November 6 and November 14 with home and away ties for each side.
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