Super Eagles: Why Nigeria are in Pot 4 for 2018 FIFA World Cup draw

Nigeria are in Pot 4 courtesy of their position on the October FIFA Ranking

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have been seeded in Pot 4 of the 2018 FIFA World Cup draw which will hold on Friday, December 1.

With Peru completing the line-up for the 32 teams for the 2018 World Cup, FIFA have unveiled the seeding pots for the Final Draw.

 

Nigeria are in Pot 4 courtesy of their position on the October FIFA Ranking which FIFA used for the allocation of the Pots.

On the overall October FIFA Ranking, the Super Eagles are in 41st position.

From the 34 teams that qualified for the 2018 World Cup, Nigeria are ranked 22nd from the FIFA Ranking which puts Nigeria in Pot 4.

The first eight teams (from the countries going to the World Cup) are placed in Pot 1 followed by the next eight countries.

 

This means that Nigeria will face one of Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland and France in the Group stage.

Host, Russia take the top seeding spot.

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The Super Eagles of Nigeria will not be drawn in the same group with other African countries like Tunisia, Egypt and Senegal in Pot 3.

According to FIFA’s principle of drawing the teams into the groups, no teams from the same confederation, with the exception of UEFA, which could have up to two teams in the same group, will be drawn into the same group.

The Final Draw will take place on Friday December a at Moscow’s State Kremlin Palace.

Pot 1: Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Poland, France

Pot 2: Spain, Peru, Switzerland, England, Colombia, Mexico, Uruguay, Croatia

Pot 3: Denmark, Iceland, Costa Rica, Sweden, Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal, Iran

Pot 4: Serbia, Nigeria, Australia, Japan, Morocco, Panama, Korea Republic, Saudi Arabia