World Cup draw seeding method under debate

Leipzig:

Five days before the draw for next year's World Cup finals, a debate has erupted on how seedings for the group phase will be determined. The criteria used to set up the four pots from which the 32-country field will be divided into eight groups of four teams will be decided at a meeting today. Getting selected for Pot 1 - made up of the top eight teams - will help the chances of the game's powerhouses from avoiding another top country in the first round. "There are different proposals," FIFA President Sepp latter said. "It certainly will be a mix of the perfomance from the last World Cup and the world rankings." The Netherlands, a two-time World Cup runner-up, wants the weight to be placed on world rankings, fearing its chances to land in Pot 1 will be damaged by failing to qualify for the last World Cup. "For the last year, Holland is always among the top three," Netherlands delegate Mathieus Spengers said of the world rankings.

Germany, Brazil to be in Pot 1 All that is certain is that Germany, as host and Brazil, as defending champion, will be put in Pot 1 to head one of the groups. Two-time World Cup champion Argentina is considered a top candidate for Pot 1, while Italy, England, Mexico, Spain and France are among the favourites. The draw will also be set up to avoid two teams from the same continent landing in the same group, except for Europe, represented by the most countries with 14. No more than two European teams will be paired in the same group. (AP)