FIFA’s big idea is to set up the best chance for blockbuster ties in the latter stages of the World Cup.
so this is the first time Giving special preferential status to the top four In the world ranking – Spain, Argentina, France and England.
Importantly, this condition will only apply if countries win their groups.
Let’s see how this would work, using England as an example.
Each of the four countries will be drawn into a group in a different colored quadrant of the bracket, as shown in the image below.
Spain (ranked 1) and Argentina (2) must be in opposite halves and cannot meet until the final, as do France (3) and England (4).
France and England will not be able to compete with Spain or Argentina till the semi-finals.
Let’s say France comes first and goes into Group C, placing them in the green quadrant on the right side of the draw. This means England can only go into the left blue or turquoise quadrant, groups E, F, G, H or I.
If Argentina then fall into the blue quadrant, it leaves England confined to only turquoise – Group G or H.
Are the four seeds being given an easy ride? not necessarily.
There is a potential last-16 tie between the two group winners in each quarter. For example, the Blue Quadrant meets the winners of Group E and Group I. This means that a seeded team could meet one side from another pot, let’s say maybe Brazil.
Joining Groups C, F, H or J potentially looks more favourable, as it is not possible to play another group winner until the quarter-finals.
If one of the four seeded teams finishes as group runner-up, they lose the ranking privileges.
So if England are to finish second in Group H, they will move out of the turquoise and into red – perhaps meeting the winners of Group J, Spain, Argentina or France in the first knockout round.