The Republic of Ireland’s chances of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup were dashed on Wednesday night, confirming they would be in the pot for a third seed when the qualifiers draw in Zurich on December 7.

Ireland ‘s hopes of securing a place in the second – seeded side were dashed by Bulgaria in their last Nations League clash, with Serbia’s victory over Russia and Northern Ireland’s hopes of a win or draw against Romania.

However, just before the kick-off tonight, UEFA gave Romania a 3-0 victory over Norway in a canceled match between the two countries, leaving Port 2 in the water.

From an Irish perspective, UEFA’s decision proved to be academic, with Stephen Kenny’s men failing to bring part of their bargain to a 0-0 draw.

Along with Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Wales, Austria, Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia and Slovakia, Romania finished last in the second seed, followed by Ireland, Russia, Norway, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Scotland, Iceland, and the North.

Of the 13 European teams advancing to the 2024 World Cup, the group will give the winners 10 places to qualify, while the other three will secure their place in the Middle East through the playoffs.

The top 10 runners-up in the groups will advance to those playoffs, along with the two teams with the highest ranking from the Nations League group winners who fail to advance to the World Cup qualifying group winners.

Pot 1: Belgium, France, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Germany, Netherlands

Pot 2: Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Wales, Austria, Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia, Romania

Pot 3: Russia, Republic of Ireland, Norway, Hungary, Czech Republic, Scotland, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Greece

Pot 4: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Israel, Georgia, Luxembourg

Pot 5: Armenia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Andorra

Port 6: Moldova, Malta, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, San Marino