THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND have learned their fate today for the qualification series for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
The boys in green faced a daunting task as fourth seeds ahead of the St Petersburg draw, but can be reasonably content with how things worked out. Wales are the side from pot one, while Austria and Serbia – the second and third seeds – will join Ireland in Group D. Georgia and fifth seeds, with Moldova from pot six.
The nine group winners will qualify for the finals in Russia, with the eight best second-placed sides playing off for the final four places. The hosts qualify automatically.
Seamus Coleman (pictured above by Stephen Doherty) from Killybegs is the current right-back for Martin O’Neill’s team, while Shay Given from Lifford has kept goal for the last two Euro 2016 qualifiers against Poland and Scotland
Full draw
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg
Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino
Group D: Wales, Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia,
Group E: Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan
Group F: England, Slovakia, Scotland, Malta, Lithuania, Slovenia
Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, Macedonia, Liechtenstein
Group H: Belgium, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus
Group I : Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland
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