France miss out on World Cup finals seeding

[Renew Deal]

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - France, World Cup winners in 1998 and finalists in 2006, missed out on a place in the eight top seeds for Friday's draw, announced by FIFA on Wednesday.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke told a news conference the decision had been based on the world rankings and had no connection with the controversy over France's infamous "handball" goal against Ireland.

The top seeds are hosts South Africa, holders Italy, Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Netherlands and Spain.

France are left as the most dangerous floating team who could be drawn in the same group as any one of the top eight seeds.

The draw for the finals, being staged in South Africa from June 11 to July 11, will be made in a 90-minute television spectacular starting at 1700 GMT on Friday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/02/AR2009120200551.html

[Condem]

1. Looking forward to it. n/t

[Renew Deal]

2. Me too

Can't want to see who the US, Greece, and England draw. It's possible they'll get each other.

[Condem]

3. Your opinion of the weakest top seed, Renew?

Cos' whoever that is, I believe we're #2 in that draw.

[Renew Deal]

5. South Africa

They're not great and they're only a top seed because they're the host. After that, it's muddled.

[Condem]

6. Well, I hope we're not in that draw.

The home team usually plays out of its ass in the Cup. South Korea, for example.

[Renew Deal]

7. South Africa got out of their group in the Confederations cup.

Though it wasn't a great group (Spain, Iraq, New Zealand).

[Captain Hilts]

4. Because Ireland should be in. nt

[MaineDem]

8. France is lucky to be in at all.

Ireland should be there.

[Upton]

12. Ireland had their chances

they didn't take them...they don't deserve to be in SA..

France is the better all around side anyway, with players the world wants to see.

[Captain Hilts]

13. This isn't a popularity contest. France lost the qualifier. nt

[Upton]

14. No they didn't

Even if Henry's handball had been called, the score would have remained tied on aggregate...there's no guarantee Ireland would have won.

[Captain Hilts]

15. Correct. They did not earn it. nt

[insanity]

9. It would be an outrage if they were seeded

I think the choices were pretty solid. Now I want to see the draws and pray that the Netherlands doesn't get stuck in a group with France and Italy

[dnbn]

10. The Netherlands and Italy are both seeded.

It is a given however that the Netherlands will get France.

[MrCoffee]

11. France is "the most dangerous floating team"? FRANCE???

The Toure brothers, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and the rest of Les Elephants have something to say about that. I'd love to see CIV kick some serious ass at the Cup.