England were handed a favourable group in the draw for the 2022 World Cup on Friday - but could meet either Scotland or Wales in the opening stage.
Both rival home nations are still hoping to qualify for the World Cup but must still conclude their play-off process. Scotland face Ukraine in their play-off in June, with the winner facing Wales for the fourth spot in Group B.
Gareth Southgate will ultimately be pleased with the outcome of the draw, which saw his Three Lions also pitted against USA and Iran. England will kick-off their campaign against Iran on the opening day of the tournament on November 21.
They then face USA on November 25 before their final fixture takes place on November 29. Elsewhere, Germany were handed a tough draw as they were pitted in the same group as Spain, as well as Japan and either Costa Rice or New Zealand.
Cristiano Ronaldo will do battle with Luis Suarez as both Portugal and Uruguay were drawn into Group H with Ghana and South Korea. And hosts Qatar will get the tournament underway with a clash against Ecuador, in a group also containing Netherlands and Senegal.
England go into the World Cup as one of the favourites. It is this tournament which has been the ultimate target for the FA, with Southgate so far leading his team to a World Cup semi and a European Championships final during his tenure.
Their opponents on that heartbreaking night at Wembley in the summer, Italy, have already fallen by the wayside after crashing out of the World Cup during the qualifying play-offs, leaving England well-placed among the European contingent setting their sights on the trophy.
Southgate has full faith his squad have the credentials to write their name in the history books, but is aware - after two near misses - that only a perfect run will see them crowned champions.
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“It’s very special, the pinnacle, the World Cup is still the ultimate prize you can win as a player there is no trophy bigger and of course all the players will feel that way," he said this week. "My visions are always about the team and what they would do and how that would look.
“What have we said to the team this week? That if we can get to a semi final, we can get to a final, and we did. If we can get to a final, we can win. That's clear. To do that is incredibly difficult and we'll have to be as close to perfect as can be.
"That's the challenge for us, not just when we get to Qatar because we've got to be in the right condition, even before that. Thats what we've got to work towards everyday we're together."
In order to achieve their ultimate goal, getting off to a good start is paramount, which made the outcome of Friday's draw all the more important. Having qualified for the knockout stage with a game to spare in 2018, and topped their group in 2020, Southgate will be keen for his men to get off on the right foot again in Qatar.
