WORLD CUP EXCITEMENT
Teams drawn into groups for soccer extravaganza
Spain and Portugal, the last two European champions, were drawn Friday to meet in the first round of the World Cup, one day after Russia opens the tournament in one of the easiest groups of the competition.
The Russians will play their first match at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow June 14 against Saudi Arabia — the only team ranked lower than the hosts. Egypt and Uruguay are also in Group A.
Spain, which eliminated Portugal in the round of 16 on the way to winning its first World Cup in 2010, will open against the European champions June 15 in Sochi. Group B also includes Morocco and Iran.
“Everyone wanted to avoid Spain in Pot 2. We inherited it. Thanks for that,” Morocco coach Herve Renard said. “We have to face these two ogres (Spain and Portugal) and do everything to qualify for the last 16, even if it seems very difficult.”
Defending champion Germany will open against Mexico in its quest to become the first country to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962. The Germans will then face Sweden and South Korea in Group F.
“We got opponents that are not unknown to us,” Germany captain Manuel Neuer said.
“That’s what I like best: when we know what to expect.”
Five-time world champion Brazil is in Group E with Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia.
That means the Brazilians won’t play any games in its base city of Sochi.
“We couldn’t control that,” Brazil coach Tite said.
“Despite the (travel) distances, there are quick ways to get there.”
Iceland, the country with the smallest population of the 32 World Cup teams, will face qualifying opponent Croatia in Group D along with Argentina and Nigeria.
“Croatia has an excellent midfield, Nigeria is unpredictable and has some very fast players and Iceland comes in with little pressure,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said.
Another newcomer, Panama, will take on England, Tunisia and Belgium in Group G.
Peru, the last of the 32 teams to qualify for Russia, is in Group C with 1998 champion France, Australia and Denmark.
“It could have been worse,” France coach Didier Deschamps said.
The only group without a former World Cup champion is Group H, which is made up of Poland, Senegal, Colombia and Japan.
Russian President Vladimir Putin opened the draw ceremony at the Kremlin, seven years after landing the hosting rights.
“We will do everything to make it a major sporting festival,” Putin said, looking forward to a World Cup of “friendship and fair play, values that do not change with time.”
The Olympic doping scandal surrounding Russia hung over the final countdown to the draw.