Italians oppose Group E pairings

Italy is the only seeded team at the World Cup that will play two higher-ranked opponents in the first round, the United States and the Czech Republic.

It seems strange, but when the FIFA rankings are involved, things sometimes get confusing. Very confusing.

Italy is ranked 13th by soccer's world governing body but was rated one of the top eight teams for the tournament in Germany — ahead of the second-ranked Czech Republic in Group E and the United States, which was fourth before recently dropping back to fifth.

The Italians, who won two of the first three World Cups and then added another title in 1982, first play 48th-ranked Ghana, the other team in the group.

"At the moment I am only thinking about the match against Ghana, because the first game is always the most important," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said. "The outcome of that match, whether we win, lose or draw, will decide how we will approach the second game. And the second game decides the approach for the third, and so on."

Perhaps. But the Italians, who have not fared well in the last two World Cups, should keep a wary eye on the Americans and Czechs.

The Americans reached the quarterfinals four years ago, and 11 players from that squad are still with the team, including Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Claudio Reyna, Brian McBride, Eddie Pope and goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

"I don't think it's going to raise too much expectations," Keller said of the high U.S. ranking. "It's a bit false and I think everybody can realize that around the world. We're not the fourth-best team in the world. But when you start getting into the top 10, top 15, any of those teams can beat anybody."

Donovan, who scored two goals at the last World Cup in South Korea and Japan, isn't worried about possibly facing Brazil if the Americans advance.

"Would I bet that nine times out of 10 we're going to beat Brazil? Probably not," Donovan said. "Could we beat Brazil? Absolutely. So you have to be a little bit realistic, but we want to put ourselves in that situation. And if we're in that situation, I would still be confident."

The United States faced Brazil in the second round at home in 1994, and lost 1-0. Brazil went on to win its fourth title at the Rose Bowl, beating the Italians in a penalty kick shootout.

Italy's current roster will include playmaker Francesco Totti, who recently returned from an 81-day injury layoff, Filippo Inzaghi and Vincenzo Iaquinta.