The best and worst World Cup draws

ENGLAND

BEST CASE: Slovakia, Hungary, Albania, Faroe Islands.

Being part of the only five-team group in European qualifying would no doubt appeal to Premier League managers happy to see their stars playing two less competitive internationals. Slovakia are the lowest-ranked side in Pot 2, but they are capable of causing an upset, as they did when knocking holders Italy out of the 2010 World Cup.

WORST CASE: France, Switzerland, Scotland, Macedonia, Iceland.

France demonstrated in their friendly victory over England in November that they are a team to fear again after their World Cup collapse last summer. The Swiss were runners-up to Spain at this summer’s European Under-21 Championships and are building a strong side, while a trip to Hampden Park would present a tough test for England.

NORTHERN IRELAND

BEST CASE: Norway, Slovakia, Hungary, Faroe Islands.

Not since 1998 have Norway qualified for the World Cup finals, so arguably they have the weakest pedigree of the top seeds and Nigel Worthington might view them as the easiest option in the top pot.

WORST CASE: Spain, France, Switzerland, Macedonia, Iceland

A group containing world champions Spain and a reinvigorated France plus the up-and-coming Swiss would be about as bad as it could get for Northern Ireland.

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

BEST CASE: Norway, Slovakia, Albania, Faroe Islands.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s men would fancy their chances of a play-off place at the very least if they got this draw.

WORST CASE: Spain, France, Scotland, Macedonia, Iceland.

A return to Paris – scene of the infamous Thierry Henry handball in a World Cup qualifying play-off in 2009 – would offer a chance for revenge but qualification, rather than settling scores, is surely the main priority for the Irish.

SCOTLAND

BEST CASE: Norway, Slovakia, Hungary, Faroe Islands.

Scotland were hammered 4-0 by Norway in the last set of World Cup qualifiers, but on paper they look the weakest of the top seeds.

WORST CASE: Spain, France, Switzerland, Macedonia, Iceland.

Scotland famously beat France in the Euro 2008 qualifiers and ran Spain close in a Euro 2012 encounter in October, but taking on two of Europe’s heavyweights in qualifying will be something Craig Levein is keen to avoid as Scotland aim to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.

WALES

BEST CASE: Norway, Slovakia, Hungary, Albania, Faroe Islands.

As part of Pot Six, Wales cannot avoid being drawn in a six-team group, so this line-up looks about as appealing as it could get for Gary Speed’s team.

WORST CASE: Spain, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Macedonia.

Wales could conceivably sink without trace in this group, with Scotland proving too good for them in the recent Carling Nations Cup.

Source: http://www.itv.com/sport/football/news/the-best-and-worst-world-cup-draws-58487/