Before the World Cup draw
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The world football association FIFA has published its world rankings, providing important information for the World Cup draw on December 5th. After completing regular qualification, Germany moved up one position to ninth place.
This means that national coach Julian Nagelsmann’s team has secured a place in the first draw after the two wins in Luxembourg (2:0) and against Slovakia (6:0). The selection of the German Football Association (DFB) should therefore avoid preliminary round duels with world champions Argentina, European champions Spain or the three World Cup hosts.
First four places unchanged – Italy slips
FIFA has still not announced the details for filling the four draw pots. What is certain, however, is that the world rankings from November will be a central criterion.
The ranking continues to be led by Spain, followed by Argentina, France and England. New to the top 10 is Croatia in tenth place, which, like Germany and Morocco, pushes the Italians into twelfth place.
Not all participants will be determined at the World Cup draw in Washington. Six more teams, including four European ones, will be determined in playoff games in March. Four-time world champions Italy also have to play in the playoffs.
What is certain is that the world rankings also have an influence on the lottery pots for the playoff draw this Thursday. In March, four places will be awarded for Europe and two in an intercontinental tournament.