England were paired with Montenegro in the World Cup 2014
European zone qualifying draw in Rio on Saturday, while Scotland
will meet Wales.
Ronaldo: Pulls England out of the pot
The Three Lions were placed in Group H against
Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino.
Scotland and Wales will have to play each other in Group A with
some strong-looking opponents - three from the Balkans - in
Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia.
Northern Ireland have some long-distance trips in Group F with
Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and
Luxembourg.
The Republic of Ireland are in Group C with Germany, Sweden,
Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.
The winners of the nine groups qualify automatically and the
eight best runners-up play off for the four places remaining.
It is 45 years ago since England won their one and only World
Cup - and 81 years since Uruguay triumphed in the very first World
Cup final - and although it will be a straightforward task for
Fabio Capello's successor, it will not be a walkover.
Capello, who is moving on next summer after the conclusion of
the Euro 2012 campaign, knows from experience that Montenegro are
resilient - they drew 0-0 at Wembley in October in the Euro 2012
qualifier.
All the home nations did avoid the toughest draw, Group I where
Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland will battle it out.
Italy will compete with Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria,
Armenia, Malta in Group B.
Group D will see Holland come up against Turkey, Hungary,
Romania, Estonia and Andorra.
Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus and Iceland are
the nations who make up Group E.
Group G contains Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had launched the draw insisting the
world governing body had confidence that Brazil would overcome
delays in preparations.
Blatter said: "We need the support of the government of Brazil,
the state governments, the organising committee and the 190million
fans of football that is the population of Brazil.
"It is a matter of trust and confidence and FIFA have trust in
Brazil and are confident of its abilities.
"Football is the beating heart of Brazil. It is a multi-cultural
country of joy and celebration blessed with natural beauty and a
booming economy ranking number seven in the world."
World Cup 2014 European zone qualifying
draw:
Group A: Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, SCOTLAND,
Macedonia, WALES.
Group B: Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic,
Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta.
Group C: Germany, Sweden, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND,
Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhstan.
Group D: Holland, Turkey, Hungary, Romania,
Estonia, Andorra.
Group E: Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland,
Albania, Cyprus, Iceland.
Group F: Portugal, Russia, Israel, NORTHERN
IRELAND, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg.
Group G: Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein.
Group H: ENGLAND, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland,
Moldova, San Marino.
Group I: Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia,
Finland.