Everything is ready for the 2010 World Cup qualifying draw in Durban this afternoon and holders Italy are among the seeds.

In all 170 countries will go into the draw in a bid to earn one of the 31 places at the finals in South Africa.

Due to a recent rule change, only the hosts will be guaranteed a spot, so holders Italy must go through qualifying as normal despite lifting the trophy in 2006.

Asia and Concacaf are first up on the day, but the European section is expected to begin at approximately 16.00 UK time.

The 53 teams are divided into nine groups – eight of six teams and one of five – and Italy are among the nine seeds.

The winners of each group will qualify automatically for the 2010 World Cup finals, while the eight best runners-up enter play-offs.

The Durban ceremony concludes with the African draw dividing 48 teams into 12 groups. South America and Oceania have already begun their qualifying campaign.

Pot 1
[b]Italy, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Croatia, Greece.

Pot 2
England, Romania, Scotland, Turkey, Bulgaria, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Israel.

Pot 3
Norway, Ukraine, Serbia, Denmark, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium.

Pot 4
Slovakia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova, Wales, FYR Macedonia, Belarus, Lithuania, Cyprus.

Pot 5
Georgia, Albania, Slovenia, Latvia, Iceland, Armenia, Austria, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan.

Pot 6
Liechtenstein, Estonia, Malta, Luxembourg, Montenegro, Andorra, Faroe Islands, San Marino.

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Italy have drawn Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in 2010 World Cup qualifying Group 8.

The Azzurri were one of the nine seeds in the European draw for the qualifying round that was performed this afternoon in Durban.

They were assigned to Group 8 and avoided all the potential banana skins, such as England and Scotland.

Instead their toughest opponents would appear to be Bulgaria and the Republic of Ireland, neither of them qualified for Euro 2008.

Georgia were also in their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign and were beaten home and away, while Montenegro and Cyprus are not expected to cause many problems.

Although they won the trophy in Germany in 2006, the Azzurri must still go through the qualifying process.

Only hosts South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals.

Group 1 Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2 Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3 Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4 Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5 Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6 Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7 France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

[b]Group 8 ITALY, Bulgaria, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9 Holland, Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland
[/b]

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Italy boss Roberto Donadoni sees Bulgaria as the real threat in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign rather than the Republic of Ireland.

“Bulgaria have more of a football tradition than the others and could be the team that on paper will try to compete with us for first place,” said the Coach.

This afternoon’s draw in Durban placed the Azzurri in Group 8 along with Bulgaria, the Republic of Ireland, Montenegro, Cyprus and Georgia.

“These sides don’t have much of a history in the World Cup, but in any case have their strengths.

“For example, like all the Slavic nations, Montenegro have great technique, while Ireland are tough to beat. The same goes for Georgia, who we faced recently.”

Georgia, including Milan defender Kakha Kaladze, were in Italy’s Euro 2008 qualifying group, but were defeated 3-1 away and 2-0 in the peninsula.

The Azzurri are the reigning World Cup champions, but under new rules must go through the same qualifying process as every other nation. Only holders South Africa are guaranteed a place in the finals.

“It is a strategy that has been adopted recently. We have to accept it and I think it is right that every team must earn its spot in the competition,” added Donadoni.

Italy are the second most successful side in World Cup history, having lifted the trophy four times in 1934, ’38, ’82 and 2006.

Only Brazil have done better with five editions, though the Italians also lost the Final to the Selecao in 1970 and ’94.

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Italy’s record against their Group 8 opponents is very encouraging, although the Republic of Ireland caused a memorable 1994 World Cup upset.

The Azzurri are expected to sail through the qualifying for the 2010 finals in South Africa and have an excellent history against the other teams in the group.

Bulgaria have won two of their 13 meetings with Italy and drawn the other four, but have scored just 12 goals to 25 conceded.

The sides have already crossed paths in the World Cup finals with a 1-1 draw in 1986 and Roberto Baggio inspired the 2-1 semi-final victory in 1994 with a brace of goals.

The Republic of Ireland also met Il Divin Codino in USA ’94 and were the only team to beat them over 90 minutes.

That tournament opened with a shock result, as Ireland came away 1-0 winners in Giants Stadium thanks to an 11th-minute Ray Houghton strike.

Italy went on to lose the Final at the Pasadena Rose Bowl on penalties against Brazil.

Although it was memorable, that remains Ireland’s only victory over the Azzurri compared to seven defeats.

Cyprus are among the minnows of Group 8 and have lost five of their six meetings with Italy, drawing only 1-1 in February 1983. That was one of only two goals the Cypriots have put past the peninsula side, having conceded 17.

Georgia are becoming familiar faces in qualifying, as they were also in Italy’s group for 1998 and 2002 as well as the recent Euro 2008 process.

In their total six meetings there have been five Azzurri victories and just one draw, 0-0 in September 1997, while the Georgians netted only twice and conceded 10 goals.

Their most representative figure in Serie A is Milan defender Kakhaber Kaladze.

Montenegro can count on Roma striker Mirko Vucinic’s insider knowledge of the Italian game, as well as former Milan star Dejan Savicevic, who now works with the FA.

Although Italy have faced them when they were part of Serbia-Montenegro, registering just three 1-1 draws from 2002 to 2005, this will be the first official encounter.

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