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WC 2010: Nations await draw Sunday 25 November, 2007

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Everything is ready for the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in Durban this afternoon and holders Italy are among the seeds.

In all 170 countries will go into the draw in a bid to earn one of the 31 places at the finals in South Africa.

Due to a recent rule change, only the hosts will be guaranteed a spot, so holders Italy must go through qualifying as normal despite lifting the trophy in 2006.

Asia and Concacaf are first up on the day, but the European section is expected to begin at approximately 16.00 UK time.

The 53 teams are divided into nine groups – eight of six teams and one of five – and Italy are among the nine seeds.

The winners of each group will qualify automatically for the 2010 World Cup finals, while the eight best runners-up enter play-offs.

The Durban ceremony concludes with the African draw dividing 48 teams into 12 groups. South America and Oceania have already begun their qualifying campaign.

Pot 1
Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece.

Pot 2
England, Romania, Scotland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Israel.

Pot 3
Norway, Ukraine, Serbia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium.

Pot 4
Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova, Wales, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus.

Pot 5
Georgia, Albania, Slovenia, Latvia, Iceland, Armenia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.

Pot 6
Liechtenstein, Estonia, Malta, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands, San Marino.

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