FIFA World Cup 2014 – England unseeded for group stage draw

England manager Roy Hodgson

Following this midweek’s international games, the seeds for the next summer’s World Cup in Brazil are confirmed, with Roy Hodgson’s England missing out on the top-seed status.

According to the latest Coca Cola FIFA World Rankings,, the results are as expected, with Switzerland pipping Netherlands, Italy and England to seventh and the final top seed position in the draw for next summer’s tournament. Only if Uruguay lose in their play-off to Jordan next month, which is a very big if, will the top seeds now change, in which case Netherlands would replace the South American side in pot one.

TOP SEEDS

Brazil (Hosts)Spain (1)Germany (2)Argentina (3)Colombia (4)Belgium (5)Uruguay (6)/Netherlands (8)Switzerland (7)

For England, the announcement isn’t a total surprise but as a big disappointment as Hodgson’s side will not enter the draw as top seeds, having not lost a competitive fixture since taking the reins in early 2012. The Three Lions have lost just once and to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic inspired Sweden in a friendly, having played both Brazil and Italy twice.

England will surely face one of Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Colombia or Uruguay (or Netherlands) in the group stages at next year’s competition. The news that France will enter Europe’s play-offs as one of the four unseeded teams also opens up the possibility that they would be the lowest-ranked European side at the draw. Meaning, Les Bleus would surely play one of the non-European top seeds, as well as a fellow European country in the same group.

However, with two sides progressing from each group to the knockout stages, England will be confident to progress – based on ranking and their recent form – regardless of which two non-seeded sides they compete against in their group.

Group Scenarios

For the Three Lions, avoiding a South American side would be preferable considering the tournament is being held in the same continent. Belgium or Switzerland would likely be their choice of top seed to face, along with a group completed with two sides from Asia, Africa and Central America would surely be the best group they could hope for. Should all the play-offs go according to the expectations, then the ideal group for Hodgson’s men would be Switzerland, Burkina Faso or Algeria and Australia.

Best-case scenario

SwitzerlandBukrina Faso/AlgeriaAustraliaEngland

On the other hand, they could also be drawn with hosts Brazil and then France, as the lowest ranked European side, along with the likes of Mexico, Japan or Ghana into that group. That would be the worst-case scenario for England and would surely be the “Group of Death” at the next summer’s tournament.

Worst-case scenario

BrazilFranceMexico/Japan/GhanaEngland

The draw of the group stages will take place on 6th December in Bahia. Till then you can try out this World Cup group stage draw simulator and post your simulated group stage draws in the comments below.