The World Group play-offs were four ties which involved the losing nations of the World Group first round and the winning nations of the World Group II. Nations that won their play-off ties entered the 1997 World Group, while losing nations joined the 1997 World Group II.

Austria 1	Werzer Arena, Pörtschach, Austria 13–14 July 1996 Red clay (outdoors)		Germany 4
1 2 3 1 Barbara Paulus Anke Huber 4 6 3 6     2 Judith Wiesner Steffi Graf 1 6 6 3 2 6   3 Barbara Schett Steffi Graf 3 6 2 6     4 Judith Wiesner Anke Huber 3 6 63 77     5 Barbara Schett / Melanie Schnell Sabine Hack / Christina Singer 6 3 6 4

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Czech Republic 3	Lokomotive Hall, Plzeň, Czech Republic 13–14 July 1996 Supreme carpet (indoors)		Argentina 1
1 2 3 1 Helena Suková Florencia Labat 7 5 6 3     2 Jana Novotná Mercedes Paz 6 1 6 2     3 Ludmila Richterová Florencia Labat 3 6     retired   4 Helena Suková Mercedes Paz 65 77 6 1 6 2   5 Jana Novotná / Helena Suková Florencia Labat / Mercedes Paz       not played

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South Africa 1	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa 13–14 July 1996 Plexipave (outdoors)		Belgium 4
1 2 3 1 Mariaan de Swardt Sabine Appelmans 6 0 3 6 2 6   2 Amanda Coetzer Dominique Van Roost 2 6 3 6     3 Amanda Coetzer Sabine Appelmans 3 6 6 3 0 6   4 Mariaan de Swardt Dominique Van Roost 7 5 6 3     5 Amanda Coetzer / Mariaan de Swardt Laurence Courtois / Nancy Feber 2 6 6 3 0 6

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Slovakia 2	Slovan Kerametal Tennis Club, Bratislava, Slovakia 13–14 July 1996 Red clay (outdoors)		Netherlands 3
1 2 3 1 Henrieta Nagyová Miriam Oremans 1 6 4 6     2 Karina Habšudová Kristie Boogert 4 6 2 6     3 Karina Habšudová Miriam Oremans 6 1 6 3     4 Henrieta Nagyová Kristie Boogert 6 4 1 6 0 6   5 Karina Habšudová / Radka Zrubáková Manon Bollegraf / Caroline Vis 6 4 6 3

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• Fed Cup structure