Ronaldo, Portugal await World Cup playoff draw and possible showdown with France

by  Associated Press Ronaldo, Portugal await World Cup playoff draw Associated Press - 20 October 2013 05:35-04:00

ZURICH (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will find out Monday who they must beat in a playoff to reach the World Cup in Brazil.

France and Franck Ribery would be the toughest possible test for the Portuguese as the in-form and highest-ranked of four unseeded nations in the draw at FIFA.

Portugal, No. 14 in FIFA's monthly world standings, is seeded with Greece (No. 15), Croatia (No. 18) and Ukraine (No. 20), which is one spot ahead of the French after the qualifying groups finished last week.

France (No. 21) is unseeded with Sweden (No. 25), Romania (No. 29) and Iceland (No. 46).

Two-legged playoffs are scheduled for Nov. 15 and 19.

The four winners complete Europe's 13-strong entry in the 32-team World Cup draw on Dec. 6.

News Topics: Sports, Men's soccer, 2014 FIFA World Cup, Professional soccer, FIFA World Cup, International soccer, Soccer, Men's sports, Events

People, Places and Companies: Cristiano Ronaldo, Franck Ribery, France, Portugal, Europe, Western Europe

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