Fifa announce play-off decision

The eight best runner-ups from Europe's nine groups will be divided into two sets, based on the Fifa rankings system, and each will face a team from the opposing side of the draw.

The decision comes as a blow to Republic of Ireland, who currently occupy second place in Group 8, as they face the prospect of meeting the likes of France, Croatia or Germany in the two-legged tie.

"We have decided on seeding the teams into two groups of four, taking the Fifa world rankings into account, with the top four in one pot and the others in another pot," Blatter confirmed after a Fifa executive committee meeting in Rio de Janeiro.

"There will be a separate draw to decide home and away," he added, speaking of where the first and second legs will be played.

With the Fifa world ranking system due for a reshuffle on October 16th, the draw for the play-offs will follow just three days later on October 19th.

The timing of the announcement is likely to draw criticism from national team bosses expecting to be second seeds as the system largely favours the higher-ranked nations who are struggling to qualify.

France, Portugal and Czech Republic are all in danger of missing out on the finals but will be boosted by the seeding system, which could offer an escape route should they all finish second place in their respective groups.

In Group 4 meanwhile, Germany and Russia are battling it out for first and second place and one of which will find themselves in the play-offs, likely to be in the top seed bracket.

Heavyweights England, Spain and Holland have already secured their place at South Africa next summer, which will provide some comfort for the lower nations expecting to make the play-offs.

The final group games of the European qualifying campaign will take place on 10th and 14th of October and will determine who will enter the draw before Fifa's new rankings will split the eight in two.