8 groups of 6 teams to compete in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers

PanARMENIAN.Net - The procedure has been confirmed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminary draw in Brazil on July 30, with the 53 teams aiming for Europe's 13 finals berths to be split into nine groups.

The procedure has been confirmed for the 2014 FIFA World Cup preliminary draw in Rio de Janeiro on July 30, with the 53 European hopefuls including holders Spain to be split into nine groups.

In the European qualifying competition, played between September 7, 2012 and October 15, 2013, there will be eight groups of six teams and one of five. The nine section winners will progress straight to the finals in Brazil and the eight best runners-up will play off for the remaining four berths over two legs from November 15 to 19, 2013, with the winners of those matches also competing in South America from June 13 to July 13, 2014.

There will be six seeding pots based on the July 2011 FIFA World Ranking to be released before the draw. The top nine teams will be placed in Pot 1, the next nine in Pot 2 and so on, with the lowest eight in Pot 6. Each pool will contain one team from each pot, except for the five-team Group I which will have no country from Pot 6, FIFA official website reported.

Current FIFA ranking lists Armenia 70th with 462 points. European and World champions, Spain, top the ranking with 1871 points.