England draw US, Algeria and Slovenia, while Brazil are in the Group of Death.
Some quick observations
Group A is excellent for the French. Win it and they could face a weakened Argentina in the last 16. Maradona’s team won’t have it easy in Group B.
Group E will suit the Dutch very well. Progress as winners and they face the second placed team from Group F, either Slovakia or Paraguay. Hardly a daunting prospect.
The Italians will be pleased with Group F but they are notoriously slow starters and could slip up.
North Korea aside, Brazil face an extremely tough group. Portugal and the Ivory Coast will push them all the way for first place. Spain and Brazil could meet in the last 16 if the Brazilians slip up in Group G.
Spain probably couldn’t have asked for a better group.
England’s group could have been much worse. The only real obstacle in Group C is the USA and its contingent of players with solid Premiership experience. Win the group and the second placed Group D team lies in wait. This could be Germany, Australia, Serbia or Ghana.
Qualify through the group stages and England may have to beat Germany in the last 16, France in the quarter finals and Brazil in the semi finals. Who said it was going to be easy?
The BBC has very kindly produced a match schedule. Enjoy and start looking ahead to next summer!
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