ENGLAND’S likely path to win a first World Cup since 1966 involves potential nightmare matches against France, Argentina and Brazil.
Gareth Southgate’s side have been handed a favourable Group Stage draw where they will face USA, Iran and one of Wales, Scotland and Ukraine in Group B.
The Three Lions kick off their tournament with a clash against Iran on Monday, November 21.
England will then play USA on November 25, before potentially pitting their wits against one of their British rivals in the last group game on November 29.
Wales have already reached the play-off final and will take on the winner of Scotland vs Ukraine, which will be played in June.
It will be the first time England will have played Wales, Scotland or Ukraine at a World Cup.
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Providing England top Group B, Southgate’s men will face the country that finishes in second spot in Group A.
That group consists of tournament hosts Qatar, Netherlands, Senegal and Ecuador.
A potential last-16 clash could see England face the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions in Senegal.
The Lions of Teranga secured their place in the World Cup after beating Egypt on penalties in their qualifier.
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Should England emerge victorious against Senegal, they could then battle World Cup holders France in the quarter-final.
France will play against Denmark, Tunisia and one of Peru, Australia and the United Arab Emirates in Group D.
They will then face the runners-up of Group C with Argentina, Poland, Saudi Arabia and Mexico battling it out for top spot.
If England then advance through to the semi-final, they will compete against the remaining country from the top half of the draw.
And this could see England face Argentina in what has the potential to be another World Cup classic after their famous encounters in 1986, 1998 and 2002.
It doesn’t then get any easier with England to possibly showcase their talent against another South American giant.
Brazil, who last won the global competition in 2002, could be the last opponents for England.
Despite England fans being delighted by their group stage opponents, Southgate has refused to label it as an easy group.
He told BBC Sport: “USA and Iran are teams we’ve not played for a while and the third is an unknown but throws up a possible British derby.
“We’ve got to get out of the group. Our first objective is to get out of the group and then we build from there.
“In this situation all of our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, so when that tie is played out is irrelevant really.
“When you’re seeded you get the advantage of missing out on those big six or seven teams.
“Most of the first seeds would be pleased with the group they get. There are some highly ranked teams in pot two.
“The USA are an interesting one. They’ve got some very good players and we know what they could be capable of, so that one in particular is an intriguing one.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
