World Cup 2018 draw pots: Full seedings with England, Brazil, Germany, Argentina waiting to discover their fate

The World Cup draw is set to get underway as England eagerly wait to find out who they will face.

A varied group of teams have made it to Russia after a qualification campaign which saw several big-name casualties.

Getty Images

Reuters

Four-time world champions Italy will not be at the biggest stage of all for the first time since 1958.

While back-to-back South American champs Chile also miss out.

Holland, Ivory Coast, Ghana and the USA are other top sides who unexpectedly failed to qualify.

But England have made it through once again — and here’s a look at all 32 teams waiting anxiously for Russia 2018.

Pot One

Russia

Hosts. Will surely be happy just to avoid the shame of going out in the group stage — though they did show positive signs with a credible draw against Spain in a recent friendly.

Getty

Germany

Their “B team” won the Confederations Cup last season, while their U-21s were also champions last summer — and one more World Cup will see them equal Brazil’s record.

---

LION IN WAIT What are best/worst case scenarios for England?

---

Brazil

After a difficult start, the five-time world champions breezed through South American qualification and will be among the favourites.

Portugal

Won their first-ever major tournament in 2016, but will need Cristiano Ronaldo back and firing to stand any chance.

EPA

Argentina

Lucky to qualify, but mainly just lucky to have Lionel Messi. With him in their side, they can never be ruled out.

Belgium

A star-studded squad which could go the way of England’s or Spain’s “Golden Generation”. Big tournament for them.

REUTERS

Poland

In Robert Lewandowski, they boast one of the best centre-forwards around, but surely won’t expect to be in the final mix in Russia.

France

An incredible wealth of talent, which needs to deliver after defeat in the Euro 2016 final in front of their home fans.

Pot Two

Spain

Are back on track after a couple of disappointing tournaments and will expect to be in the final mix.

Peru

Weren’t expected to qualify, but are capable of playing decent stuff, and will fancy their chances of at least making the next round.

Switzerland

Some will say they were lucky to get here after a narrow win over Northern Ireland. Will surely be considered the easiest draw from this pot.

England

Lowered expectations could finally help this young England side show its worth on the biggest stage.

Getty Images

Colombia

A disappointing qualifying campaign saw them sneak through in the final match, but they still have top talent in the likes of Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez.

Mexico

Will hope to make it through the group, but only a very kind draw will see them progress further.

AFP

Uruguay

With Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani in your attack, you have to expect to at least reach the quarter-finals.

Croatia

A dismal qualifying campaign. But they have some world class and need to finally show it on the biggest stage.

Pot Three

AP:Associated Press

Denmark

Will fancy their chances of making the quarter-finals if they can keep Christian Eriksen — and Nicklas Bendtner — firing.

Iceland

Their fantastic qualifying campaign should make England feel better about losing to them at Euro 2016. Must target the knock-out phase.

Costa Rica

Were one of the surprise packages in Brazil, but are a much weaker side in 2017.

Reuters

Sweden

Knocked out Italy and could have Zlatan Ibrahimovic back — but still, quarter-finals would represent a success.

Tunisia

Back on the big stage for the first time since 2002, and will probably settle for merely not finishing bottom.

Egypt

In Mohamed Salah they have a player who can make the difference in tight games, and could give them a massive edge.

AP:Associated Press

Senegal

Like Egypt, having that one top player, in this case Sadio Mane, is what is often needed in the early stages.

Iran

Will surely just hope not to be their group’s whipping boys.

Pot Four

AFP

Serbia

Arguably the fourth seed everyone will want to avoid, though they’re not at the level they were in the early 2000s.

Nigeria

Showed their quality against Argentina and would be a tough opponent. Will hope to make it to the next round with a kind draw.

Australia

An awful qualification campaign meant they needed to overcome two play-offs. Will struggle to pick up any points.

Reuters

Japan

No real players of quality but did finish above two other teams who have made it to Russia, so are their continent’s best hope.

Morocco

Shocked Ivory Coast and will look to Algeria taking Germany to extra-time in the round of 16 in 2014 for inspiration.

Panama

Overcame the USA in a shock turn of events, but will likely just be happy to have made it.

AFP

South Korea

Have World Cup pedigree, but will struggle to make the knock-out phase after an underwhelming qualifying campaign.

Saudi Arabia

Lowest ranked side who have been on the end of some World Cup hammerings in the past. Will hope to avoid humiliation.