ST PETERSBURG — Europe’s 52 entrants have learned their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fate following the draw in St Petersburg on Saturday.
All the UEFA national associations were involved except for Russia, who qualify automatically as hosts, and non-FIFA members Gibraltar. They were drawn into seven groups of six teams and two of five. Armenia will compete in Group E against Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro and Kazakhstan.
The nine group winners will advance directly to the final tournament, with the eight best runners-up with the best record against the teams first, third, fourth and fifth in their groups proceeding to play-offs to decide the remaining four European berths.
World Cup 2018, Europe Qualifying Round Groups:
Group A: Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg
Group B: Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra
Group C: Germany, Czech Republic, N. 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, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta
Group G: Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Liechtenstein
Group H: Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus
Group I: Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland
