Three former winners form Group A in ‘Group of Death’ scenario.The preliminary dress rehearsal for the World Cup 2014 was drawn on Wednesday and threw up some interesting encounters, giving an insight into the kind of mayhem we can expect from the proper draw on Friday.
A probably ‘Group of Death’ scenario emerged in Group A with Hosts Brazil taking on two former winners France and Italy with poor old Australia propping them up.
Meanwhile, down in Group E England were handed a tough task as they drew defending champions Spain alongside Ivory Coast and South Korea.
An interesting draw in all, and it will surely give us food for thought when it comes time to get the real deal underway on Friday.
Full draw
Group A: Brazil, France, Italy, Australia
Group B: Uruguay, Nigeria, USA, Croatia
Group C: Argentina, Ghana, Costa Rica, Russia
Group D: Switzerland, Chile, Japan, Greece
Group E: Spain, Ivory Coast, South Korea, England
Group F: Colombia, Cameroon, Honduras, Netherlands
Group G: Germany, Ecuador, Iran, Portugal
Group H: Belgium, Algeria, Mexico, Bosnia