Italy are top seeds in the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw this evening, but could be paired with France and Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland.
The Azzurri are in Pot One for the draw that will take place in Rio de Janeiro tonight at circa 20.15 UK time, which begins the journey towards the tournament in Brazil.
Italy are top seeds in the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw this evening, but could be paired with France and Giovanni Trapattoni's Ireland.
The Azzurri are in Pot One for the draw that will take place in Rio de Janeiro tonight at circa 20.15 UK time, which begins the journey towards the tournament in Brazil.
Cesare Prandelli's men are top seeds along with Spain, Holland, Germany, England, Portugal, Croatia, Greece and Norway for the European section.
There will be eight groups of six teams and one of five for the European qualifying campaign.
Ex-Inter and Milan star Ronaldo will be drawing from the pots along with Rossoneri transfer target Paulo Henrique Ganso.
The big worry for the 2006 winners is the possibility of encountering the team they defeated to get that trophy, as France are in Pot Two.
Other difficult sides in that group are Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Sweden, while Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia and Denmark complete the pot.
Italy could also be paired with Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland, who are in Pot Three along with Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, Israel, Bosnia and Belgium.
Pot One: England, Spain, Holland, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, Norway, Greece
Pot Two: France, Montenegro, Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia, Turkey, Serbia, Slovakia
Pot Three: Switzerland, Israel, Rep of Ireland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Ukraine, Hungary
Pot Four: N Ireland, Scotland, Bulgaria, Romania, Georgia, Lithuania, Albania, Austria, Poland
Pot Five: Armenia, Finland, Estonia, Cyprus, Latvia, Moldova, FYR Macedonia, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands
Pot Six: Wales, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Malta, Andorra, San Marino