England were handed a straightforward-looking qualifying draw for the 2014 World Cup in Rio last night, with Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino their Group H opponents.

The group saw Ukraine drawn to face Euro 2012 co-hosts Poland in a group which England ought on paper at least to win to progress.

If they slip up then the Three Lions will have to go through the play-offs for one of four remaining berths, assuming they at least finish as one of the best eight runners-up in the nine groups.

But while the 1966 champions, had little cause to feel hard done by it was a different story for 1998 champions France, drawn in the same group as champions Spain.

Belarus, Georgia and Finland make up the rest of Group I.

“It’s an extremely difficult group,” said Noel Le Graet, the head of the French Football Federation.

“We have time to progress but it’s absolutely essential to finish first. We will face Spain and be very competitive. We still have a year and a half to get ready.”

Brazil are pre-qualified as hosts, but for hundreds of millions of fans from around the world watching the draw unfold there was tension as they waited on their teams’ fate.

Scotland were drawn with a Wales side whose recent slide down the rankings now has them lower in the standings than the Faroe Islands. The pair will face off with Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia in Group A.

Germany lead Group C with tricky ties with Sweden and Ireland in prospect while Austria, Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan are also in the pool.