The FIFA decision is in: Julian Nagelsmann will be spared an extremely difficult start to the World Cup. However, because one rule will not be changed, the DFB team could still end up in a tough group.
After a long wait, FIFA has officially confirmed that Julian Nagelsmann will not have to fear early clashes with the top favorites Argentina, Spain, and France at the World Cup. The DFB team will be in pot 1 of the best teams at the draw in Washington on December 5 (6 p.m. CET).
Nevertheless, the DFB team could still face tough opponents in the group stage of the final tournament in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Contrary to recent speculation, the world governing body has not introduced any new seeding rules for playoff candidates such as Italy or Denmark. They will be placed in the lowest pot, pot 4. This means that a World Cup group with Colombia and Bayern Munich star Luis Díaz, Egypt with Mohamed Salah, and old rivals Italy is possible, provided the four-time champions still qualify for the World Cup.
A group with Uruguay, Norway with Erling Haaland, and Ghana would also be a challenge. But conceivably easy options are also possible: Iran, Panama, and New Zealand would be one such constellation, or a group with Austria and World Cup newcomers Uzbekistan and Curaçao.
However, the most important thing for Nagelsmann is confirmation of Pot 1. That means: Brazil, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Portugal, and the three host nations will only be possible opponents in the knockout stages at the earliest. This was only secured by the 6-0 win over Slovakia in Leipzig last week, which also booked Germany’s direct ticket to the finals.
Völler relieved about Pot 1
The resounding victory against the Slovaks saw captain Joshua Kimmich and his teammates finally overtake Italy and secure the important ninth place in the decisive November world rankings. “We are glad that we managed to do that in the final stages,” said sporting director Rudi Völler.
After an unusually long wait, the world governing body announced the procedure for the big draw show at the John F. Kennedy Center in the US capital.
One new feature is that defending champions Argentina and European champions Spain will not play each other until the final at the earliest, provided they finish top of their groups. Matches against France and England are only possible in the semi-finals, provided these teams also finish top of their groups. The rule has no impact on the tournament path of the DFB team, which is ranked ninth in the world.
The pots at a glance:
Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, USA, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany
Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, South Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia
Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa
Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curaçao, Haiti, New Zealand, UEFA Playoff A (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina), UEFA Playoff B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania), UEFA Playoff C (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo), UEFA Playoff D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, Ireland), FIFA Playoff 1 (New Caledonia, Jamaica, Democratic Republic of Congo), FIFA Playoff 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq)