Format
Teams were drawn into eight groups of six teams and one group of five teams. The nine group-winners qualified directly, while the eight best second-placed teams contested home and away play-off matches for the remaining four places. In determining the best eight second-placed teams, the results against teams finishing last in the six-team groups were not counted for consistency between the five- and six-team groups.
Read more about this topic: 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification (UEFA)