Ahead of Friday's draw for the 2014 World Cup, the four pots have been announced in a FIFA press conference today. It all seems rather convoluted, with seven teams in Pot Two and nine in Pot Four.
A false nine in pot 4. Good.
— Jonathan Wilson (@jonawils) December 3, 2013
The reason behind this is to avoid the possibility of having three teams from Europe in the same group. One of the European teams from Pot Four will be drawn to Pot Two at the start of the draw.
In addition, two South American teams may not be drawn together. Therefore, a Pot X will be used to separate the seeded CONMEBOL teams in Pot One from Chile and Ecuador in Pot Two. The European team drawn to Pot Two will be placed in the same group as one of the Pot X teams.
Still confused? Don't worry, let Twitter help you out.
So there will be a "Pot X", which sounds like some sort of snooker porn film.
— MirrorFootball (@MirrorFootball) December 3, 2013
The "special pot" of yesteryear has been replaced by "Pot X," eh? Ahh, FIFA. Who knows what kind of pot Sepp Blatter is on...
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) December 3, 2013
World Cup draw: Let pot "x" be (S. American team) + (mystery European team) then divide by empty pot 2 spot. Erm... we'll get back to you
— Telegraph Sport (@TelegraphSport) December 3, 2013
Pot X: 1 Pot 4 country whose nickname doesn't follow the i before e rule will face a coin flip vs the country that pays FIFA the least. Easy
— Matthew Cox (@MattCox) December 3, 2013
Pot X is for the mutant teams.
— GrittyCitySounder (@GrittyCitySndr) December 3, 2013
I hope Tim Roth is studying Potgate for his upcoming role. Expect Pot X to be a key scene in FIFA: THE FILM.
— James Tyler (@JamesTylerESPN) December 3, 2013
so how long until we have an accurate draw simulator with pot X so we can all waste half the day scaring each other?
— AO Seattle (@AOSeattle) December 3, 2013
Footage of exactly how the World Cup groups will be drawn pic.twitter.com/geS7R6W4Fg
— Ladbrokes (@Ladbrokes) December 3, 2013
@ballsdotie Pot x is for Ireland to enter as the 33rd team right? #NeverForget
— Brian Arthur (@Brian1zvx) December 3, 2013
