World Cup draw 2018 - live updates: Reaction after England land Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G
Latest reaction from the draw in Moscow after the Three Lions learned their fate
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Your support makes all the difference.The 2018 World Cup draw has taken place, with the 32 nations that have qualified for next summer’s tournament in Russia now knowing who they must beat if they are to become world champions.
We have all the latest reaction from Moscow, where our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney is in place inside the Kremlin State Place.
England were in pot two for the draw because of their middling Fifa world ranking – but Gareth Southgate’s side avoided any of the tournament favourites and instead will face Belgium, Panama and Tunisia in Group G.
Follow all of the latest below.
All you need to know:
When is it?
The draw for the group stages of the 2018 World Cup will be held at 3pm GMT on Friday 1st December, in Moscow. It will take place at the Kremlin.
Where can I watch it?
The draw will be shown live on Sky Sports or alternatively you can follow The Independent’s live blog to find out which group your country will be allocated into.
Who is in it?
The teams qualified are:
Uefa (Europe): Russia (hosts) France, Portugal, Germany, Serbia, Poland, England, Spain, Belgium, Iceland, Switzerland, Croatia, Sweden, Denmark
Conmebol (South America): Brazil, Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Peru.
Concacaf (North/Central America and Caribbean): Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama
AFC (Asia): Iran Football, South Korea Football, Japan Football, Saudi Arabia
CAF (Africa): Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt
For those of you who haven't got the luxury of watching the BBC's take on the World Cup draw, here's Alan Shearer's 'group to avoid':
- Poland
- England
- Iran
- Panama
Umm, not sure I agree with that but we'll roll with it for now.
In the meantime, the BBC is now showing clips from our failed attempts at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Just what you need to whet the appetite!
Okay, precisely seven minutes to go. I'm running out of engaging and witty stuff to say/write so here's a Miroslav Klose stat to get stuck into. Haters gonna hate.
Here we go, guys. Gordon Banks, Diego Forlan, Maradona et al are making their way onto the stage! Game time.
Oh, and here's Lauren Blanc.
Here's a good fact about the man. His nickname is Le President, given to him following his stint at Marseille in tribute to his leadership skills.
Anyway, back to the main business.
And here are this afternoon's main presenters: Gary Lineker and Russian journalist Maria Komandnaya.
Here we go. Russia is drawn out first, of course, and takes up position in Group A.
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