<P> When the draw was made groups H and I had one team fewer than the other groups so it was decided that matches against the last - placed team in each of the six - team groups would not be included in the ranking of the second - placed teams . Even after the admission of Kosovo and Gibraltar, and with all groups now containing six teams, this rule did not change and matches against the sixth - placed team in all groups were still discarded . As a result, only eight matches played by each team were counted in the second - placed table . </P> <P> The eight best runners - up were determined by the following parameters, in this order: </P> <Ol> <Li> Highest number of points </Li> <Li> Goal difference </Li> <Li> Highest number of goals scored </Li> <Li> Fair play points </Li> <Li> Drawing of lots </Li> </Ol> <Li> Highest number of points </Li>

Does goal difference count in world cup qualifiers