Top 5 teams who had to qualify for the FIFA World Cup via play-offs

#4. France- 2010 and 2014

Thierry Henry's controversial handling of the ball was intrumental in France qualifying for the 2010 World Cup

Like Spain, France also had to go through the play-offs on two occasions and both were back-to-back occasions. During the 2010 World Cup qualifiers, France began poorly with a 3-1 defeat against Austria. However, Les Bleus bounced back by going unbeaten in their remaining 9 matches. However, the fact that Serbia had a win more than France, pushed the French in second position, which meant that they would have to qualify for the World Cup through the play-offs.

In the play-offs, France had to play Republic of Ireland who had gone unbeaten throughout the entire qualification campaign. France won the away leg at Dublin thanks to a 72nd minute winner from Nicolas Anelka.

In the second leg at Paris, Ireland lead 1-0 at the end of 90 minutes thanks to Robbie Keane’s goal but the game went to extra-time since both teams were tied 1-1. During the 103th minute, France were awarded a free-kick which was taken by Florent Malouda.

Malouda's free-kick went towards Thierry Henry, who handled the ball twice before passing it towards William Gallas - who found the back of the net. Despite protests from the Irish players, the goal stood and France won 2-1 on aggregate to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

During the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, France were expected to make the play-offs because World and European champs Spain were in their group. France ended second and were to play Ukraine in the play-offs.

Ukraine won the first leg at Kiev 2-0 thanks to goals from Roman Zozulya and Andriy Yarmolenko. However, France rebounded brilliantly by winning the home leg at Paris 3-0 thanks to a brace from Mamadiu Sakho (his only international goals) and a goal from Karim Benzema. France thus won 3-2 on aggregate and qualified for the 2014 World Cup.