Leipzig: The Netherlands have been left out of the top seedings for Friday's draw for the FIFA World Cup and could end up in the same group as perennial rivals Germany or defending champions Brazil.
The omission of the world's third-ranked team was the biggest surprise during Tuesday's announcement of the seedings.
Mexico and Spain were the only teams never to win the World Cup that were picked for the top eight, which also included hosts Germany, Brazil, England, France, Argentina and Italy.
Germany and Brazil were automatically seeded for Friday's draw and will head groups A and F, allowing the powerhouses to play in Berlin, Munich and Dortmund, the three biggest stadiums.
Jim Brown, FIFA's director of competitions, said "economic factors" played a leading role in putting the defending champion and the host team at the biggest arenas.
England were happy to be among the seeded teams after they picked to play Argentina, Nigeria and Sweden in the first round at the 2002 World Cup.
"This is a big boost but, when the tournament starts, we must show on the pitch why we have been seeded," England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said.
For Brazil, who are going for their sixth championship, firstround opponents matter little. "I don't have any preference," Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos said.
The Netherlands had been lobbying for a top seeding but their non-qualification for the World Cup three years ago made sure they fell short. The Dutch lost to Brazil in the semifinals in a penalty shootout at France 1998.
"It appears that our current third place in FIFA's world rankings is no guarantee of getting seeded," Dutch federation director Henk Kesler said.
"This will serve as an incentive to do well at this World Cup."
Dutch coach Marco van Basten said the snub was only logical since the Dutch had failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
FIFA based its seedings on results at the last two World Cups and the world rankings of the past three years. Based on that rule, Brazil topped the standings with 64 points.
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