The two were drawn to face each other Monday in a two-leg series scheduled for November 15 and 19. Also, France will play Ukraine, with the return match in Paris, and Greece were paired with Romania.
Iceland, the lowest ranked of the eight teams at No. 46 in the world, will host the first leg against Croatia, which fired their coach last week.
The four winners will complete Europe’s 13 entries in the 32-team World Cup draw on December 6 in Salvador, Brazil.
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic were consigned to the playoffs after their teams finished second in their qualifying groups behind Russia and Germany, respectively. Portugal also had to advance to the 2010 World Cup through a play-off, after twice drawing 0-0 with Sweden in the group.
France, the 2006 World Cup runner-up, also make their second straight trip to the play-offs. Four years ago, a notorious handball by Thierry Henry helped France beat Ireland in extra time. Croatia’s play-off matches will mark the coaching debut of Niko Kovac. ‘We have been drawn against a Sweden team against whom we will be playing two complicated and relatively balanced matches,’ said Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
‘Besides having one of the best strikers in the world (Ibrahimovic), the quality of their team is their collective spirit,’ he added.
Iceland, the lowest ranked of the eight teams at No. 46 in the world, will host the first leg against Croatia, which fired their coach last week.
The four winners will complete Europe’s 13 entries in the 32-team World Cup draw on December 6 in Salvador, Brazil.
Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic were consigned to the playoffs after their teams finished second in their qualifying groups behind Russia and Germany, respectively. Portugal also had to advance to the 2010 World Cup through a play-off, after twice drawing 0-0 with Sweden in the group.
France, the 2006 World Cup runner-up, also make their second straight trip to the play-offs. Four years ago, a notorious handball by Thierry Henry helped France beat Ireland in extra time. Croatia’s play-off matches will mark the coaching debut of Niko Kovac. ‘We have been drawn against a Sweden team against whom we will be playing two complicated and relatively balanced matches,’ said Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
‘Besides having one of the best strikers in the world (Ibrahimovic), the quality of their team is their collective spirit,’ he added.