Alan Shearer quipped that Gareth Southgate will be delighted with England's World Cup group after Friday's draw in Qatar.
Southgate's side were handed a plum set of fixtures in Group B, where they were drawn with Iran, United States, and the winner of one of the final play-off fixtures - meaning that either Scotland, Wales or Ukraine will join the Three Lions in the group stage.
And Shearer was adamant that Southgate will be happy with the countries that England have been paired up with when he was asked for his verdict. He told BBC Sport: "Absolutely. Gareth will look at that and think it could have been a lot more difficult than it's actually come out. He'll be happy with that and I'm sure his players will be."
The former Newcastle striker also insisted that the potential for Scotland or Wales to come into the group added some extra "excitement" before quashing any suggestion that England may be underwhelmed with the draw.
"Well that's the one thing of not having that group of death, isn't it. You're looking and thinking it's pretty much open. I have to say I'm pleased that Scotland, Wales or Ukraine have been put in England's group. It just adds that little bit more excitement in that group, I think. When you look at Iran and the USA, you think, okay England. But if it is going to be Scotland or Wales, then that makes it that a bit tougher.
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"I don't think it really matters to be honest. I think you take what's given, you look forward to it. The England players will be full of confidence going into the tournament - after what's happened in the last two - with a genuine, genuine belief that they can actually do something in this tournament."
England head to Qatar fresh from coming agonisingly close to claiming glory at Euro 2020, where they were pipped to the crown by Italy on penalties at Wembley. And Southgate's men will be bidding to better their most recent World Cup exploits, where they were knocked out in the semi-finals by Croatia in 2018.
England will kick off their campaign with a clash against Iran on November 21 before locking horns with USA on November 25 in a re-run from their group clash in the 2010 World Cup. The final spot in the group - which will be filled by Scotland, Wales or Ukraine - will be decided in the summer.
