The draw for the UEFA playoffs was held on TUE 17 OCT 2017, four weeks before the playoffs conclude and the last four UEFA competitors at the 2018 Men’s World Cup are decided.

Sweden will look to eliminate four time champion Italy and return to the Men’s World Cup after missing the last two tournaments.

Switzerland, the best team in the UEFA group phase not to win their group, will take on Northern Ireland.

Croatia play against Greece; the teams have each competed in the playoffs twice, and both successfully qualified each time.

Denmark and Ireland Rep, two late bloomers on the international stage that first qualified within the last 32 years [1986 and 1990 respectively], face one another in the final playoff.

The first legs will be played THU 09-SAT 11 NOV 2017, and the second legs are set for SUN 12-TUE 14 NOV 2017. The winners on aggregate will compete in Russia next year.

• Playoff 1: N Ireland v Switzerland
• Playoff 2: Croatia v Greece
• Playoff 3: Denmark v Ireland Rep
• Playoff 4: Sweden v Italy