Whatever happens in the final two World Cup qualifying groups [in Europe], Ireland will be unseeded for the playoffs.
On a day like today, that’s not even bad news. That’s our reality and we’re delighted with it.
Ireland went into the final two rounds of qualifying fixtures needing a slew of results to go our way.
Whatever happens tomorrow, they'll never be able to take this permutations triumph away from us
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) October 8, 2017
Most of the results did and Ireland kept up their end of the bargain, defeating Moldova and Wales.
Scotland’s victory over Slovakia was followed by a 2-1 defeat in Slovenia. It meant they were pipped for second place but Slovakia could only manage 12 points to take towards the playoff standings [results against the bottom side in each group were discounted].
That meant an Ireland victory in Cardiff would seal a spot in the playoffs. It wasn’t plain sailing but, thanks to James McClean’s goal, they got there. All of a sudden, we were scrambling to see our likely opponents.
Here's what we have to do https://t.co/suWLne9FK8
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 10, 2017
Fifa will update their world rankings before the playoff draw is made, next Tuesday. Ireland are set for a steep climb.
At present, Martin O’Neill’s men are ranked 34th in the world [on 769 points]. The wins over Moldova and Wales have earned Ireland 97 rankings points and they will shoot up to 866.
That should be enough for a rise to 25th but, considering Ukraine lost at home to Croatia to miss out on the playoff, Ireland could go as high as 24th.
Some had thought Ireland could be drawn with Northern Ireland for the playoff but Michael O’Neill’s side will definitely not be seeded after they lost their last two group games to Germany and Norway.
Calculating the rankings points [and including both Portugal and Sweden as Group B has yet to be settled] here are the points ups and downs for each of the countries in playoff contention.
- IRELAND – From 769 to 866
- PORTUGAL – 1386 to between 1344 and 1446 [depending on win, draw or loss against Switzerland]
- SWITZERLAND – 1210 to between 1135 and 1317 [depending on win, draw or loss against Portugal]
- ITALY – 1035 to 1066
- DENMARK – 848 to 1001
- CROATIA – 977 to 1013
- SWEDEN – 918 to between 872 and 999 [depending on win, draw or loss against The Netherlands]
- NORTHERN IRELAND – 945 to 889
- GREECE – 665 to 651
So, no matter the results in the final two groups, Ireland will be unseeded. So will Greece and Northern Ireland. Denmark look set to shade Sweden and claim a seeding.
Who Ireland can draw:
- Italy
- Croatia
- Portugal/Switzerland
- Denmark
The play-off first legs will be played between the 9 and the 11 of November with the return legs on between the 12 and 14.
World number one right now is Germany [1,661 points].
