Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/221559
21 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 4 DECEMBER 2013 SPORTTODAY FOOTBALL World Cup draw details revealed England will be among an unseeded pot of European countries for Friday's draw for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil, organisers have confirmed FIFA has announced the procedure of the draw and, as expected, the eight seeded teams who will be kept apart for the group stage have been chosen according to October's world rankings. The draw will be organised so that there will be no more than two European teams in any group of four countries, and all the South American teams will be kept apart. It means England will have to face one of the top seeds - hosts Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Switzerland - who are in Pot One. The countries in Pot Two are the unseeded South American countries and the qualifiers from Africa: Algeria, Cameroon, Chile, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Ghana and Nigeria. Pot Three is made up of the teams from Asia and and north and central America: Australia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and United States. In Pot Four there are nine unseeded European teams: BosniaHerzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Italy, Holland, Portugal and Russia. In order to make the number in each pot equal, at the start of the draw one of the nine European teams will be drawn into Pot Two, and will definitely face one of the seeded South American sides. Meanwhile, FIFA president Sepp Blatter insisted he has the "utmost confidence" that Brazil's 12 stadiums will be ready in time - but at least two, Curitiba and Sao Paulo, will not be completed until February. Blatter said at a news conference: "The problems we now face regarding the stadiums are so small we can close our eyes. "But there is one sad fact and we deplore the loss of the two people who lost their lives last week and we are feeling sad with the families, but the stadium will be ready for the opening match (in Sao Paulo)." FIFA also confirmed prize money for the tournament would increase by at least 33 per cent compared to the £248million handed out at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. World Cup Pots: Pot 1: Argentina, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Germany , Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay Pot 2: Algeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Chile, Ecuador (plus one currently in Pot 4) Pot 3: Australia, Iran, Japan, Korea, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, USA Pot 4: Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, England, France, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Russia (one team will be drawn into Pot 2) Sepp Blatter: Announces the World Cup draw details FORMULA 1 Hülkenberg returns to Force India Nico Hülkenberg NICO Hülkenberg will return to Force India from the 2014 Formula 1 campaign. The German, 26, confirmed a "multi-year" agreement with the Silverstone-based outfit on Tuesday afternoon. Having spent just one term at Sauber, Hülkenberg reunites with a team he previously represented for two seasons; as a reserve driver in 2011 and a race driver in 2012. Speaking of his new deal, Hülkenberg said: "I am happy to come back to Sahara Force India. The team is aiming high for next year and I believe that the experience I have gained over the years will help us achieve those goals. "I genuinely believe we can have a competitive package in 2014. I've heard a lot of positive things about the Mercedes engine as well, so I think there is a lot to be excited about for next year. "I know this team and I can see their determination; it's a great bunch of people and we all share the same hunger for success." Vijay Mallya spoke of his delight after securing the services of Hülkenberg once more. "When he drove for us in 2012, it became clear Nico was an exceptional talent and he has continued to impress everyone in the paddock with his strong performances this season," said Mallya. "Having Nico in our line-up is a real statement of intent and a huge boost for everyone associated with the team. We have high hopes and expectations for 2014 and by signing Nico we have put ourselves in the best position to achieve those objectives and enjoy what could be our most competitive season yet." Force India added that the remainder of its 2014 line-up will be named "in due course". McLaren reject Sergio Pérez has been tipped to take the vacant seat alongside Hülkenberg.