Row over W/Cup seeding

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 Blatter said. "It certainly will be a mix of the performance from the last World Cup and the world rankings."

The Netherlands, a two-time World Cup runner-up, want the weight to be placed on world rankings, fearing their 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 Sprengers said of the world rankings.

All that is certain is that Germany, as hosts, and Brazil, as defending champions, will be put in Pot 1 to head one of the groups.

Two-time World Cup champions Argentina are 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.

Blatter said economic considerations will not play a role in determining the pots.

However, since hosts Germany will top Group "A" and Brazil Group "F", two spectator magnets for the Germans will automatically play in the biggest stadiums of Berlin, Munich and Dortmund.