<Li> Third round: The 12 teams (an increase from 10 for 2014) which advanced from the second round were divided into two groups of six teams to play home - and - away round - robin matches . The top two teams of each group qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and the two third - placed teams advanced to the fourth round . </Li> <Li> Fourth round: The two third - placed teams of each group from the third round played home - and - away over two legs . The winners advanced to the inter-confederation play - offs, playing the fourth - placed CONCACAF team . </Li> <P> A total of 24 teams eliminated from World Cup qualification in the second round compete in the third round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification (which is separate from the third round of 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification), where they are divided into six groups of four teams and compete for the remaining slots of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup . The 24 teams consist of the 16 highest ranked teams eliminated in the second round, and the eight teams that advanced from the play - off round of 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification which are contested by the remaining 12 teams eliminated in the second round . </P> <P> The draw for the third round was held on 12 April 2016 at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia . </P>

What teams are in the playoffs for world cup