Before applying to FFXIV ARR make sure...

[Firon]

All the servers are in Japan, they'll just have suggested language labels >.>

The info on the Alpha said they're starting with Japanese testers for basic infrastructure testing and then bringing in people from outside Japan once the first round of Alpha testing's done.

Not anymore they putting servers all over the world read that trans in the jp thread. It will be multi host servers but everyone will still be able to play with each other.

Edit:

Server/ Engine
The lighting system is very advanced and allows for complex lighting effects, not only during the day but at night and in dungeons as well.
It was very challenging to port FFXIV:ARR to the PS3 due to low memory issues, but they did their best to optimize it the best way possible.
Load times and character movements are real time now, and the responsiveness of the game to the player’s actions has been improved a lot.
Multi Data centers: At the moment, there is only one data center in Japan, and all players are connected to it. Now they are making more data centers around the world to improve the server response. Players will still be able to play with everyone regardless of regions. This is just for the convenience of players not in Japan.
More flexible world transfers
Addition of communication support function
The engine can tolerate the new PvP design (It’s not forcefully done)
The servers can handle more players in one place as compared to before (was 400-500 players at a time, now around 1000). And for the mobs, it could handle 600mobs at a time and now it’s up to 2000. This will greatly affect the player’s experience, so they’re really happy about it.