VLADIMIR PUTIN welcomed football royalty in Russia today as the World Cup draw took place at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow.
The Russian leader greeted the likes of Ronaldo, Peter Schmeichel and Samuel Eto’o on the red carpet in Red Square as the greatest tournament in the game was mapped out.
Diego Maradona arrived arm-in-arm with girlfriend Rocio Oliva before he planted a smacker on fellow football legend Pele.
It was a star-studded event in the Russian capital, with everyone anxious to ensure their country avoids the most difficult opposition.
Maradona, Diego Forlan and Gordon Banks were among the big football personalities involved in drawing out the 32 teams.
England were handed a dream World Cup draw after they were drawn to face Belgium, Tunisia and Panama at Russia 2018.
With their position in Pot Two they could have been handed a nightmare qualification challenge next summer, but instead will now have to be confident of progressing to the knock-out stages.
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And if they do reach the last-16, there are far worse opponents they could have faced than Poland, Colombia, Japan or Senegal.
The Three Lions will begin their campaign on June 18 in Volgograd, where they will face African qualifiers Tunisia, ranked 27th in the world.
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Panama – making their first ever appearance at a World Cup finals and ranked a lowly 56th – are second up on June 24 in Nizhny Novgorod.
That kind draw means England should be confident of already guaranteeing qualification before they face top seeds Belgium in final match.
Roberto Martinez’s side are one of the most fancied teams to win in Russia next summer, and they will meet England in Kaliningrad on June 28.
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