Post by Taxigirl on Dec 3, 2003 18:20:36 GMT
England have been included amongst the top seeds for the World Cup 2006 European qualification draw - along with the likes of France, Spain and Italy.
Ireland are in the second group of nations, whilst Scotland are in the Pot C for the draw and Wales in Pot D.
Northern Ireland have been put in the fifth group of international sides for qualification, as teams look to reach the finals in Germany in the summer of 2006.
England's inclusion in the top group is not a surprise - with a quarter final finish in the last tournament, after qualification at the top of their group.
The fact that England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have all been placed in separate pots means that it is feasible - if unlikely - that all could be drawn against each other for the qualification campaign.
The draw for the qualifying groups will take place on Friday in Frankfurt, Germany, with the ceremony beginning at 1600 GMT.
Seeding groups in full:
Pot A
1, France
2, Portugal
3, Sweden
4, Czech Republic
5, Spain
6, Italy
7, England
8, Turkey
Pot B
1, Netherlands
2, Croatia
3, Belgium
4, Denmark
5, Russia
6, Ireland
7, Slovenia
8, Poland
Pot C
1, Bulgaria
2, Romania
3, Scotland
4, Serbia and Montenegro
5, Switzerland
6, Greece
7, Slovakia
8, Austria
Pot D
1, Ukraine 2, Iceland
3, Finland
4, Norway
5, Israel
6, Bosnia-Herzegovina
7, Latvia
8, Wales
Pot E
1, Hungary
2, Georgia
3, Belarus
4, Cyprus
5, Estonia
6, Northern Ireland
7, Lithuania
8, Macedonia
Pot F
1, Albania
2, Armenia
3, Moldova
4, Azerbaijan
5, Faeroe Islands
6, Malta
7, San Marino
8, Liechtenstein
Pot G
1, Andorra
2, Luxembourg
3, Kazakhstan