Everything you need to know about UEFA's World Cup play-offs

Time to put the calculator away.

UEFA finally learned on Tuesday which eight group runners-up will participate in next month's play-off round, with Switzerland, Sweden, and Greece claiming the final three spots.

The Swiss had to settle for a play-off berth after a 2-0 defeat to Portugal, while Sweden and Greece avoided any last-minute slipups.

Italy, Denmark, Croatia, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland had already booked their play-off places. Slovakia, whose chances were hanging by a thread, missed the cut as the worst of the runners-up.

Heading into the final slate of qualifiers, Sweden was all but assured a berth. Although the Netherlands defeated its Scandinavian counterpart 2-0, only a win by a seven-goal margin would've eliminated the Swedes from contention.

Greece's job was just as straightforward. Knowing anything but a loss at home to lowly Gibraltar would be enough, the Greeks produced an emphatic 4-0 victory in Piraeus to extend their World Cup hopes.

All eyes will now focus on the play-off draw on Oct. 17, with four of the eight sides to be seeded based on next Monday's FIFA rankings. Switzerland, Italy, Croatia, and Denmark are expected to be placed in Pot 1 and the remaining teams in Pot 2.

For example, Switzerland could face Greece, Italy could meet Northern Ireland, Croatia could encounter Republic of Ireland, and Denmark could come up against Sweden.

Ireland and Northern Ireland are likely to avoid each other.

(Courtesy: Dale Johnson of ESPN FC)

The first leg will take place sometime between Nov. 9 and 11, with the reverse fixtures slated for Nov. 12-14. The draw will also determine which team plays at home first.