Italy, Netherlands, England unseeded for World Cup draws

Five-time World champions Brazil could play four-time winners, Italy, in the 2014 World Cup opener and holders Spain could meet the Netherlands in the repeat of the 2010 final, going by the seeding for next summer tournament draws released on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that neither the Azzuri nor the Dutch had been seeded for the draws.

Releasing the latest world rankings on Thursday, FIFA said that hosts Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium and Switzerland are the top seeds for the December 6 draws.

The Uruguayans will also be seeded if they beat outsiders Jordan in a two-legged World Cup play-off. If not, the Dutch will get the final spot just ahead of Italy.

Brazil and Italy are the two most successful World Cup teams and have met in two finals, with the Brazilians winning 4-1 in 1970 and on penalties in 1994.

Spain beat the Netherlands 1-0 in the South Africa 2010 decider.

Portugal, Greece, Croatia and Ukraine will be the seeded teams for the European World Cup play-off draw, with France, Sweden, Romania and Iceland.

Spain maintained first place in the rankings, with Germany back into second ahead of Argentina, followed by Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and England.

Italy dropped four places in the latest rankings and Brazil went out of top 10 again, dropping to 11th.

 

The post Italy, Netherlands, England unseeded for World Cup draws appeared first on The Nation.

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