Ireland will be in Port 4 if they qualify for the World Cup
The potential opponents for the Republic of Ireland at the World Cup finals have become clearer after FIFA today unveiled the procedure for the draw next week.
And with confirmation that the six nations who come through the play-off process, with Ireland and Northern Ireland both hoping to secure one of the four slots open for European sides, there is scope for a nightmare draw against Brazil or Argentina (pot 1), Croatia or Uruguay (pot 2) and Egypt or Algeria (pot 3) or else a more palatable group including a Canada or a stuttering Portugal (pot 1), Austria or Australia (pot 2) and Saudi Arabia or debutants Uzbekistan (pot 3).