The drawing result for Europe is displayed during the preliminary draw for the 2018 soccer World Cup in Konstantin Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia, today with Northern Ireland scheduled to face world champions Germany in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Michael O’Neill’s men will also be up against the Czech Republic, Norway, Azerbaijan and San Marino in Group C.
The Republic of Ireland and Wales will clash in the qualifying competition for the 2018 World Cup after being drawn in the same group.
The two nations were drawn in Group D along with Austria, Serbia, Moldova and Georgia. The winners will qualify automatically for the finals in Russia, with the runners-up having to take part in a play-off.
England and Scotland will also meet each other after they were drawn in Group F with Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Malta.
Northern Ireland were among the third seeds, while Martin O’Neill’s Republic of Ireland side were in the pot of fourth seeds.
Northern Ireland’s last appearance in a World Cup was in 1982 and the Republic of Ireland’s in 2002. [myad]
