FIFA Releases World Cup Seedings - Ghana Placed In Pot 3

The Netherlands were among the eight seeded teams announced on Wednesday for the 2010 World Cup, with France and Portugal missing out.

World football's governing body said the seeds were selected according to the FIFA rankings as of October, meaning Brazil, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, and England made the grade.

South Africa were also seeded in Pot 1 as the host nation. France and Portugal's ommision means they are in Pot 4 along with the rest of the Uefa teams, including Denmark, Greece, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Switzerland.

It means they will be drawn in the same group against one of the heavyweight teams on Friday. Pot two consists of Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA and New Zealand while Pot 3 features Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Nigeria, Cameroun, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Algeria.

FIFA said the teams had been drawn with geographical criteria respected, meaning that no two teams from the same confederation will be drawn in the same group, except the Europeans where a maximum of two will be in a group.

Pot 1 (seeds): South Africa (group A), Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

Pot 2: Australia, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Honduras, Mexico, USA, New Zealand

Pot 3: Algeria, Cameroun, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay

Pot 4: Denmark, France, Greece, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland

One team from each pot will be drawn into the eight opening round groups for the tournament from June 11-July 11.