Azzurri will be amongst top eight seeds.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has been handed a boost ahead of the World Cup draw as his side are assured of a place in the top eight seeds.
Along with the Netherlands, the Azzurri were one of the first European sides to qualify for the tournament last month, and based on FIFA’s current rankings they are guaranteed to be seeded.
Prandelli’s men currently sit in fourth place, and mathematically they cannot drop below seventh ahead of the draw which takes places on December 6 in Costa do Sauipe.
The seedings will be based on the FIFA rankings in October in order to avoid an unfair advantage to the sides who will go through the play-offs in November.
Currently, Brazil, Spain, Argentina, Germany, Italy, Colombia, Belgium and Uruguay make up the top eight seeded nations, but only a trio of those have already qualified.
Nevertheless, it will come as a boost for Prandelli who has been rumoured to be set to step down from his position after the tournament next summer.
The former Fiorentina coach was appointed in the aftermath of the World Cup in 2010, and has overseen both an improvement on the pitch as well as a positive response from supporters for the general style of play that he has adopted.
Having impressed during the Confederations Cup earlier this year, Italy will be hopeful of emerging as a real threat to win their fifth World Cup, but much will depend on fitness and form for the remainder of the season.
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