ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA announced on Thursday a new and simplified format for the 2018 World Cup draw with the teams to be grouped by their place in the world ranking rather than their continent. Each first-round group would consist of one team from each pot, determined by the draw. The draw for the previous World Cup in Brazil involved a complex system in which teams were divided according to rankings for pot one, and their continent for the remainder. FIFA said the rankings to be published on Oct. 16 would be used for the draw, which will take place in Moscow on Dec. 1. Italy are currently 17th in the FIFA ranking which would land them in Pot 3 if all the teams above them qualify.

Source: The Star September 14, 2017 17:48 UTC