VIENNA — Europe's World Cup qualifying process will be based on 13 available places for the 2018 tournament, even though UEFA thinks it deserves a 14th. UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino said Monday that Europe will retain the same format of nine qualifying groups. The nine group winners will advance to play in Russia, and the eight best runners-up will enter a playoff round. With Russia automatically qualified as host, Europe is already set to have 14 teams in the 32-nation lineup. FIFA will draw the World Cup qualifying groups on July 25 in St. Petersburg. — Reuters
