The field was divided into 9 five or six nation groups. Each group winner will receive a berth in World Cup France '98. The best second place nation among each of the groups will also receive a berth. The remaining eight second place nations entered into a playoff to determine the final four European berths.

The top runner-up in the nine groups was determined by the following, in order:

1. Points gained in the matches against the teams coming in the top, third, and fourth positions in the group.
2. Goal differential in those games.
3. Higher number of goals scored in those games.
4. Higher number of away goals scored in those games.
5. Play-offs on neutral ground on October 19, 1997).

• Group One
  Greece, Denmark, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia

• Group Two
  England, Italy, Poland, Georgia, Moldova

• Group Three
  Norway, Hungary, Switzerland, Azerbaijan, Finland

• Group Four
  Scotland, Austria, Sweden, Estonia, Belarus, Latvia

• Group Five
  Russia, Israel, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Luxembourg

• Group Six
  Spain, Yugoslavia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Faeroe Island, Malta

• Group Seven
  Netherlands, Wales, Belgium, Turkey, San Marino

• Group Eight
  Romania, Ireland, Macedonia, Lithuania, Iceland, Liechtenstein

• Group Nine
  Portugal, Ukraine, Germany, N. Ireland, Armenia, Albania