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France will be one of eight top seeds for Friday's much-anticipated World Cup draw in Leipzig.
The chances were always high that Raymond Domenech's side would earn top billing, but FIFA's reluctance to explain their selection method left an element of doubt.
In the end, the world football governing body took into account performances in the last two World Cups, whereas four years ago the previous three all counted.
Each country's world ranking over the past three years was also used in the calculation, and as a result France came out fifth overall.
Les Bleus are joined as top seeds by hosts Germany, holders Brazil, Italy, Argentina, England, Spain and Mexico – who they cannot meet in the first round.
Holland were the big losers as they find themselves in the second tier along with Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Poland, Sweden, Portugal and the Ukraine.
The draw itself will take place in Leipzig's Neue Messe exhibition centre on Friday night in front of just under 4,000 people.
The World Cup tournament will begin on June 9, with the Final set to be held in Munich on July 9.
Pot 1 (first tier)
Germany (hosts)
Brazil (holders)
Argentina
England
France
Italy
Mexico
Spain
Pot 2 (third tier)
Australia
Angola
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Togo
Tunisia
Ecuador
Paraguay
Pot 3 (second tier)
Croatia
Czech Republic
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Sweden
Switzerland
Ukraine
Pot 4 (fourth tier)
Iran
Japan
Saudi Arabia
South Korea
Costa Rica
Trinidad & Tobago
US
Special Pot: Sebria & Montenegro (as no group can have more than two European sides in it)
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