The two runners-up from the second round
will play in a two-leg, home-and-away, play-off, with the winner competing in another
play-off with a country from UEFA for a spot in the 2002 finals. In the UEFA
qualifying competition, the nine group runners-up will be drawn from a pot. Eight teams
will play in a UEFA play-off the remaining team will play the AFC
third round play-off winner. The victors will earn a berth in the finals.
