adminLONDON. — England will not be one of the top eight seeds at next year’s World Cup soccer finals in Brazil after sealing qualification with a 2-0 win over Poland on Tuesday.Fifa’s latest world rankings determined the top seeds for the 2014 tournament.
England who climbed from 17th to 10th, will now have to face one of the top-ranked nations in their group matches. But boss Roy Hodgson says he is not worried whether his team is “first or second out of the hat” when the draw takes place on December 6.
The Netherlands, who were runners-up in 2010, and 2006 winners Italy are also unseeded. But Switzerland, Belgium and Colombia are, following the release of the rankings on Thursday by football’s governing body.
Hosts Brazil and the remaining top seven ranked qualifiers will be kept apart in the group stages of next year’s tournament.
Those groups will be completed by teams from three different geographical regions.
England will have to face one of Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Colombia and probably Uruguay. Uruguay’s place in Brazil depends on them winning a play-off against Jordan, ranked 70, next month. If they are beaten in the two-legged tie, the Netherlands will take the final seed ahead of Italy.
The rankings’ emphasis on recent results rather than teams’ record in major tournaments means 2010 World Cup runners-up Netherlands and 2006 winners Italy miss out on being kept apart from the other traditional powerhouses of world football. — Telegrahp.
Online Reporter