The eight seeded teams have been announced for next year's World Cup in Germany. Hosts Germany, and the defending champions Brazil were automatically seeded for Friday's draw. Also making the list were four other former champions, England, Argentina, Italy and France, as well as the less obvious choices of Spain and Mexico.

FIFA, the governing body of world football, based its seedings on results at the last two World Cups finals, and the world rankings of the past three years.

Based on that rule, Brazil topped the standings with 64 points, ahead of England's 51. The United States fell just short of the top eight with 43 points.

England head coach Sven Goran Eriksson stated that it was "excellent" that England have been seeded for the World Cup finals draw.

The England manager believes that FIFA's decision to seed England vindicates his earlier assertions that the English are true title contenders for the World Cup 2006, which kicks off next June.

England's status as the second highest ranked side behind Brazil was something of a surprise, and Eriksson believes the impressive 3-2 victory over Argentina in a friendly in November may have played a part in FIFA's decision.

"I've just heard the news and it’s excellent," he told The English FA’s home page.

“I think it's right too. We are one of the teams that have the potential to do very well in Germany and we have some of the best players in the world.”

“Finishing top of our qualification group with the second best record in the whole of Europe was a big achievement and I’m sure that has played a part in this decision.”

The Swede did urge caution ahead of Friday's Worls Cup group draw in Leizig, Germany, however, saying that his England players must prove on the pitch what they have been credited with on paper.

"This is a big boost but, when the tournament starts, we must show on the pitch why we have been seeded," he continued. "It's starting to get very exciting for everyone and of course I'm really looking forward to seeing who we are drawn to play against on Friday.”

"There are many very good sides that are going to be in Germany but I don't think that too many will want to face England."

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