Ghana Black Stars likely to face ‘Group of Death’ at World Cup

• Posted on November 21, 2013November 21, 2013
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

The 32 countries are almost set for the 2014 FIFA World Cup showdown in Brazil after UEFA play-off elimination commenced on Tuesday, Nov 19.

The Black Stars of Ghana are likely to face a ‘Group of Death’ at the World Cup thanks to their failure to secure a seeding for next month’s draw in Brazil.

After Tuesday night’s European and African play-off second legs, 31 of the 32 teams at next summer’s finals have now been confirmed, with expected to Uruguay to seal qualification Wednesday.

The 32 qualified teams will be divided into four pots or section of 8 teams each.

The seeded pot (Pot 1) will contain the hosts Brazil and the seven best-ranked qualified teams according to the October 2013 FIFA World Rankings, including Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Uruguay and Switzerland.

Uruguay is currently ranked 6th in the world and confident to qualify today in another World Cup play-off qualifying game. The other pots will be based on geographic and sports criteria.

Ghana is likely to be placed in a pot containing four African teams, two South American teams and One European team.

The fourth pot appears certain to contain the four qualifiers from Australasia and the four from Concacaf and England would certainly not welcome a game against the United States or Mexico.

Ghana likely Group of Death 1: Brazil, Portugal, Ghana, Mexico.

Ghana likely Group of Death 2: Spain, England, Ghana, Japan.

Ghana Group of Life 1: Switzerland, Bosnia, Ghana, Honduras.

Ghana Group of Life 2: Belgium, Greece, Ghana, Iran

Who will be in Brazil?

Seeds: Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland, Uruguay*.

Europe: Holland, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia, France.

South America: Chile, Ecuador.

Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Ghana.

Asia: Japan, Australia, Iran, S Korea.

Concacaf: Costa Rica, United States, Mexico, Honduras.

Likely pots:

1 Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland, Uruguay*.

2 Holland, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia.

3 France, Chile, Ecuador, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Ghana.

4 Japan, Australia, Iran, S Korea, Costa Rica, United States, Mexico, Honduras.

*Uruguay lead Jordan 5-0 going into second leg on Wednesday night.

-Asempa FM