A SERIES OF disappointing recent results means Ireland are likely to be seeded in Pot 4 in the upcoming World Cup qualifying draw.
The Boys in Green’s stock has fallen so drastically in recent months that they are now expected to be put in the same grouping as Faroe Islands ahead of the qualifying draw in St Petersburg on 25 July.
Meanwhile, Wales, who were ranked 117 in the world as recently as 2011, are set to be seeded after last Friday’s impressive 1-0 win over Belgium.
Former World Cup winners France and Italy, on the other hand, may have to be content with a spot in Pot 2.
The situation is subject to change up until the final relevant fixtures are played on 5 July, with the final qualifying pots to be officially announced on 9 July.
But here is how they are expected to look…
POT 1: Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Romania, England, Wales, Portugal, Spain, Croatia/Italy.
POT 2: Croatia/Italy, Slovakia, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, Iceland, Denmark, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
POT 3: Poland, Ukraine, Scotland, Hungary, Sweden, Albania, N Ireland, Serbia, Greece.
POT 4: Turkey, Slovenia, Israel, Ireland, Norway, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands, Montenegro, Estonia.
POT 5: Cyprus, Latvia, Armenia, Finland, Belarus, Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Lithuania, Moldova.
POT 6: Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Andorra.
Worst-case scenario for Ireland…
Germany
Italy
Poland
Ireland
Belarus
Kazakhstan
Best-case scenario for Ireland…
Wales
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Albania
Ireland
Moldova
Andorra
