World Cup Draw: England to Face United States

The draw for next year’s FIFA World Cup has been made in Cape Town.

Hosts South Africa will open the tournament against Mexico at Soccer City, Johannesburg, on 11 June. Joining them in Group A will be Uruguay and controversial qualifiers France.

England and the USA go head-to-head on 12 June in Rustenberg, when all eyes will be on LA Galaxy midfielder and former England captain David Beckham. Algeria and Slovenia will join them in Group C.

Donovan’s reaction to drawing England:

“It’s going to be fun. David was there at the Draw so I’m sure he recognized it right away. I hope we’re both there. Obviously we have to stay healthy and get there. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Favourites Brazil, well-fancied Portugal, the strongest African side the Ivory Coast and North Korea make up the so-called ‘Group of Death’, Group G.

There are eight groups of four teams in all, with two from each qualifying for the Round of 16. The draw also maps out the path to the Final in Johannesburg on 11 July.

The groups in full:

Group A:

South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, France

Group B:

Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, Greece

Group C:

England, USA, Algeria, Slovenia

Group D:

Germany, Australia, Serbia, Ghana

Group E:

Netherlands, Denmark, Japan, Cameroon

Group F:

Italy, Paraguay, New Zealand, Slovakia

Group G:

Brazil, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

Group H:

Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile