The draw for 2014 World Cup in Brazil has finalised the route for the 31 would-be finalists with a total of 200 teams competing to fill those spots.
Italy have a tough job on their hands as they were drawn with Denmark, Czech Republic and Bulgaria. Cesare Prandelli will find comfort in the fact that Italy defeated Bulgaria 2-0 last time the two sides met in 2009. Italy last faced the Czech’s in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup, while Denmark held the Azzurri to a 0-0 draw in the last match between the sides back in the Euro 2004 group stage.
Hosts Brazil are the only team already guaranteed their place in the final 32, meaning that Spain will also have to qualify for the tournament even though they are the current holders of the trophy.
| Europe 13 teams advance to the finals The nine group winners qualify for the finals automatically, and the best eight runners-up will play off for four more qualifying berths on a home-and-away basis – with the four winners advancing. |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | Group B | Group C | |
| Croatia Serbia Belgium Scotland FYR Macedonia Wales |
Italy Denmark Czech Rep. Bulgaria Armenia Malta |
Germany Sweden Republic of Ireland Austria Faroe Islands Kazakhstan |
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| Group D | Group E | Group F | |
| Netherlands Turkey Hungary Romania Estonia Andorra |
Norway Slovenia Switzerland Albania Cyprus Iceland |
Portugal Russia Israel Northern Ireland Azerbaijan Luxembourg |
|
| Group G | Group H | Group I | |
| Greece Slovakia Bosnia Lithuania Latvia Liechtenstein |
England Montenegro Ukraine Poland Moldova San Marino |
Spain France Belarus Georgia Finland |
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