England team could face Scotland or Wales in Cup

Draw throws up the potential for first-ever ‘Battle of Britain’ at World Cup finals

ENGLAND will face Iran and the USA at this winter’s World Cup finals in Qatar – and could also face Wales or Scotland if one of those home nations come through their European play-off, which also involves Ukraine.

Gareth Southgate’s side seemed to be enjoying a favourable draw after being pulled into Group B, and then drawing USA from pot 2 and Iran from pot 3.

But the final draw means facing one of three play-off sides, which includes Wales and Scotland. The Scots will face Ukraine in a delayed play-off, before the winners of that game take on Wales.

England and Scotland have never met in a World Cup finals, but met at last summer’s Euro 2020 tournament, with the game finishing goalless.

Wales and England have also never met in a World Cup finals, but came face to face in the group stage of Euro 2016, with England winning 2-1.

The Three Lions have played the Americans twice in the World Cup finals but never beaten them –losing 1-0 in the 1950 finals and drawing 1-1 with them at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Being drawn in Group B means

England will play on the opening day of the tournament on November 21, and cannot face one of the sides who were in pot one based on their world ranking in the last 16. That is because they would play whoever finishes first or second in Group A - hosts Qatar’s group.

However, the Netherlands are a possible opponent in the last 16. Iran were the second team drawn to face England. The sides have never met in a senior international, but will now go head to head in their opening game.

It also means another World Cup clash between the US and Iran.

THE FULL DRAW:

Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands, Senegal

Group B: England, Iran, USA, Scotland/Wales/Ukraine

Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland

Group D: France, UAE/Australia/ Peru, Denmark, Tunisia

Group E: Spain, Costa Rica/New Zealand, Germany, Japan

Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia

Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon

Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, South Korea

Hassan Ammar Former Brazilian international Cafu draws England during yesterday’s World Cup draw and (inset) England’s group