World Cup 2014 European zone qualifying draw
-
England avoid Euro big hitters
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.
-
good....................Israel won't be going to the world cup...............
