The final draw has pitched two of the world's best teams together in what will inevitably become the "Group of Death."
Spain and Portugal were drawn together in Group B, along with Iran and Morocco.
2010 winners Spain will play Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the group phase of the 2018 World Cup in Russia, along with Morocco and Iran #WC2018 pic.twitter.com/RXrhsMdHCa
— AFP Sport (@AFP_Sport) December 1, 2017
The hosts, Russia, were drawn with Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
Here they are! The groups for the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia! 🇷🇺🙌
— #WorldCupDraw 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2017
Which game are you most looking forward to?! 😁#WorldCupDraw pic.twitter.com/CYBTaqkgpF
READ MORE: Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup as It Unfolded (PHOTO, VIDEO)
England Take on Belgian 'Golden Generation'
England were drawn in the same group as Belgium, whose "golden generation" of young players includes Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Eden Hazard.
So that’s going to be an awkward one at home.. #England #Belgium https://t.co/le2Yqu0uPH
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) December 1, 2017
But although the Belgians will be a tough nut to crack, England manager Gareth Southgate was probably pleasantly surprised by Tunisia and Panama, who join them in the Group G.
England's first game will be against Tunisia in Volgograd, which was the site of the famous battle of Stalingrad in World War II, and its other group games are in Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad.
British and Russian police forces may have breathed a sigh of relief that England fans will not be playing their group games in Moscow or St Petersburg.
Get the fall-out, analysis and more from the #WorldCupDraw with our Live Blog!
— #WorldCupDraw 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2017
👉 https://t.co/rYa6gFxmYq pic.twitter.com/WU5UqklQLs
France were drawn with Denmark, Australia and Peru.
Messi's Argentina Face Tough Group
Argentina, who made it to the final in 2014 but lost to Germany, were were drawn in the same group as Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland, who have more volcanoes (126) than they do professional footballers (120).
Brazil and Switzerland will take on Costa Rica and Serbia.
Neymar — "I think this World Cup is going to be huge for Brazilians. Personally, I'm going give everything I've got to win it." pic.twitter.com/MIZ7nrubb1
— Brazil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrazilEdition) December 1, 2017
Germany and Mexico were in the same group as Sweden and South Korea.
🇳🇬@NGSuperEagles coach Gernot Rohr was one of the first to arrive at the #WorldCupDraw!
— #WorldCupDraw 🏆 (@FIFAWorldCup) December 1, 2017
"Drawing Germany would be very nice but for my mother it would be difficult — because she is for Germany!" 🇩🇪👵👍 pic.twitter.com/BEfojEiKjv
Poland are in the hardest group to predict.
They will take on Colombia, Japan and Senegal with all four teams capable of winning the group.
Are you happy with the World Cup draw? pic.twitter.com/BhcKrKCRIs
— Goal (@goal) 1 December 2017
The draw for the group stage took place in the Kremlin Palace, just off Red Square in Moscow, on Friday, December 1.
President Vladimir Putin welcomed the footballing world to Russia, which is hosting its first World Cup between June 14 and July 15, 2018.
"Our country is looking forward to the championship and intends to hold it at the highest level. We have loved this sport a long time, with a strong affection that stretches across the country. I am sure that the forthcoming World Cup will be a huge factor in the development of the sport both in the Russian regions and throughout the whole world," said Mr. Putin.
The games will take place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Sochi.
