"Spain still topped the FIFA men's world rankings published Friday that show Germany back on track to be a top-seeded team in the World Cup finals tournament draw on Dec. 5. Germany rose two places to No. 10 after back-to-back wins in a World Cup qualifying group against Luxembourg and Northern Ireland. Germany had lost their opening qualifier last month against Slovakia."
"The 12 top-seeded nations in the 48-team draw will be the three co-hosts -- the United States, Canada and Mexico -- plus the nine highest-ranked direct qualifiers in the updated FIFA rankings for November. Current No. 9 Italy are likely heading to European playoffs in March as runners-up in a qualifying group led by Norway, meaning the No. 10-ranked team should be assured of avoiding other top-seeded nations in the draw for the June 11-July 19 tournament."
"The World Cup draw seedings will follow the FIFA rankings through pots 2 and 3, with pot 4 including the six lowest-ranked direct qualifiers plus six placeholders awaiting the winners of playoffs in March. Four European teams will advance through playoffs, and two more places are on offer in a global bracket of six non-European teams that will include Bolivia and New Caledonia."
Spain occupies the top position in the FIFA men's world rankings, followed by Argentina and France. Germany moved up two places to No. 10 after wins over Luxembourg and Northern Ireland, recovering from an initial loss to Slovakia. Croatia dropped to No. 11 after a draw at Czechia. The 12 top-seeded teams for the 48-team World Cup draw will include co-hosts United States, Canada and Mexico plus the nine highest-ranked direct qualifiers in November. Italy, currently No. 9, is likely to enter European playoffs in March, affecting draw seeding. African playoff pairings include Nigeria vs Gabon and Cameroon vs Congo.
Read at ESPN.com
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