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

#1. Germany- 2002

Germany had to go through the play-offs to qualify for the 2002 World Cup

Germany ended the 2002 World Cup as the runners-up and this result surprised many. There is a reason why Germany did not have very high expectations ahead of the World Cup and that is because they had a pretty shaky qualifying campaign.

Pooled alongside England, Germany defeated England 1-0 at Wembley but were thrashed 5-1 at Munich. Germany's hopes of qualifying directly depended on Greece, who had to defeat England.

Germany nearly qualified as Greece were leading 2-1 before an injury-time free-kick from David Beckham took England to the World Cup and Germany would have to go through the play-offs.

In the play-offs, Germany were up against Ukraine. The first leg at Kiev ended in a 1-1 draw thanks to Michael Ballack’s equalizer.

The second leg at Munich was a complete one-sided affair as Germany thrashed Ukraine 4-1 thanks to a brace from Michael Ballack and a goal each from Oliver Neuville and Marko Rehmer. Germany thus secured their place at the 2002 World Cup.