FIFA rankings to decide World Cup seeds

RIO DE JANEIRO - Group seedings for next year's World Cup will be decided by October's world rankings, football's governing body FIFA said on Friday.

The decision means the seven best-ranked sides and host nation Brazil will be in separate groups for the June 12 to July 13 tournament.

Under the current rankings, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium and Uruguay would be the seven teams chosen.

FIFA had originally planned a complex seeding system that also considered previous World Cup performances.

The other three draw pots in the tournament's eight-group tournament will be decided by "geographic and sports criteria", FIFA added.

The latest rankings are due to be published on October 17.

FIFA will announce the World Cup draw on December 6 at the beachside resort of Costa do Sauipe in Brazil's northeast.