The top-seeded teams for the World Cup tournament draw, scheduled for December 5, were announced by FIFA on Wednesday, following the completion of direct qualifications for next summer’s event. This elite group includes the co-hosts—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—as well as the top-ranked Spain, the defending champions Argentina, and other powerhouses like France, England, Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
Notably, Croatia, who reached the semi-finals in 2022 and was the runner-up against France in 2018, has been moved to Pot 2 during the lottery ceremony held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., which President Donald Trump is expected to attend. The recent FIFA rankings also influenced the seeding for Thursday’s playoff draw, aimed at determining the final six teams for the expanded lineup of 48 nations.
The upcoming playoffs will involve 22 teams, with 16 from Europe competing for four World Cup slots, alongside six teams from various regions aiming for two intercontinental spots. Italy, four-time world champions, finds themselves trying to escape another playoff defeat, ranked 12th after placing second in their qualifying group behind Norway. This puts the Norwegian team, led by Erling Haaland, as a formidable opponent from Pot 3.
Italy will be facing a fourth-seeded team at home on Thursday, possibly North Macedonia—a team that eliminated them from qualification in 2022. The winner of the March 26 playoff will proceed to a final match against another team emerging from the knockout round, with home-field advantage being determined by a draw instead of FIFA rankings.
Ultimately, the teams that qualify will be crucial for December’s draw, likely occupying the lowest seeding pots. In the intercontinental stage, top seeds Iraq and Congo await the results of a semi-final match involving Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, and Suriname.
European Playoffs Seeds:
- Pot 1: Italy, Denmark, Türkiye, Ukraine.
- Pot 2: Poland, Wales, Czech Republic, Slovakia.
- Pot 3: Ireland, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo.
- Pot 4: Northern Ireland, Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia.
Intercontinental Playoffs:
- Seed: Congo, Iraq.
- Unseeded: Bolivia, Jamaica, New Caledonia, Suriname.
Associated Press reported.
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Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer fans as it sets the stage for intense competition leading up to the World Cup. The dynamics of the tournament could change dramatically based on which teams secure their spots, impacting matchups and fan fervor as the tournament approaches.
