World Cup 2010 European Play-Off Confirmed

The World Cup 2010 play-off (European) has been confirmed with 2006 finalist France taking on the Republic of Ireland.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side play the first leg in Dublin at Croke Park on 14 November, before travelling to Paris for the second leg at the Stade de France four days later.

Ireland finished second in Group 8 behind Italy with an unbeaten record, but controversially were unseeded for the draw as seeding was based on FIFA World Ranking. Raymond Domenech’s France side had a comparatively poor campaign, finishing behind Serbia in Group 7.

Portugal, who scraped into the playoffs after clinching runner-up spot in their group in their last fixture against Malta, face Bosnia, Euro 2004 champions Greece tackle Ukraine and Russia will play Slovenia.

Portugal, Greece and Russia, the three other seeded nations in the draw, will all have to play the second legs of their ties away from home. The first legs take place on November 14 with the returns on November 18.

WORLD CUP EUROPEAN PLAY-OFFS

Republic of Ireland v France

Portugal v Bosnia-Herzegovina

Greece v Ukraine

Russia v Slovenia

First legs to be played 14 November, second legs on 18 November