Norway is ranked at level four in the World Cup qualifiers – Sunnmørsposten

This means that Norway can expect very tough resistance on the way to the playoffs in Russia. At worst, expecting a group where both Germany, France and Sweden are opposed.

The draw for the World Cup qualifying groups occurs on July 25. In the pot is the 52 UEFA nations divided into six seeding levels, which are based on the FIFA rankings. Next time FIFA rankings published is July 9 and there is this being basically for seeding.

Norway is now on 64. place in the rankings, and has since it was unveiled played 0-0 against Sweden and Azerbaijan. According to the website football-rankings.info had HØGMO crew whatever little chance of ending up on another seeding level.

ESPN has calculated the rankings now how will look like, and then figured out how the six different seeding levels become.

Now we can forget about being best trey

Surprises

Norway will be seeded at the same level as Estonia, Faroe Islands, Turkey and the current group opposing Bulgaria . Sweden is going to end up on level three, while both Denmark and Iceland are seeded at level two. Finland is the only Nordic country behind Norway, the ports on Level Five.

At the top level there are a few surprises. Romania and Wales have both been very good in the ongoing European Championship qualifiers, and has also climbed the FIFA rankings. They are therefore top seed in the World Cup qualifiers. The duo emerges as the most favorable to pull for Norway from the top level.

For Norway, the low rankings make sure it will be very hard to not get in a tough group. On level two, it’s about avoiding France and Croatia / Italy, while teams like Hungary and Albania can be beneficial from seeding level three.

Fighting Availability

Norway’s group opponents in EM qualifying, Croatia and Italy, fighting according to ESPN writer about the last room at the top level. Italy need to win the friendly against Portugal on Tuesday to secure the vacant space.

During the draw on July 25 should the 52 teams are divided into nine groups, of which seven will have six teams, while the last two have five. The eight group winners going directly to the World Cup, while the eight best deuces play offs of the last four World Cup spots.

How is seeding, according to ESPN:

* Level 1: Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Romania, England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, Croatia / Italy.

* Level 2: Croatia Resort / Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Czech, France, Iceland, Denmark, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

* Level 3: Poland, Ukraine, Scotland, Hungary, Sweden, Albania, Northern Ireland, Serbia, Greece.

* Level 4: Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Ireland, Norway, Bulgaria, Faeroe Islands, Montenegro, Estonia.

* Level 5: Cyprus, Latvia, Armenia, Finland, Belarus, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova / Kazakhstan.

* Level 6: Moldova / Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Andorra.

Russia is directly qualified as host nation.

(© NTB)