FIFA World Cup 2014 Draw: Best and Worst Case Scenario for England

For England, the best case scenario would be to draw Switzerland from the first pot. The Swiss are ranked higher than the likes of Belgium and Brazil but with all due respect, do not boast a side as fluid or talented as the duo. The likes of Oscar, Ramirez, Neymar look as formidable as Eden Hazard, Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku when pitted against each other.

Pot 2 poses a tricky situation for England as the Three Lions are as likely to make the shift as any other team in Pot 4. However, in ideal circumstances, England will beat the switch and draw Algeria, who inspite of being ranked 26<sup>th in the table are a less daunting prospect than Cameroon who rank 51. The likes of Alex Song in the Cameroon team gives them some much needed experience, something which will help them on the international stage.

Pot 3 should be an easier prospect for the Three Lions with Honduras being their best bet for collecting three points. Placed 36<sup>th in the FIFA rankings, the Hondurans are placed about Australia, South Korea, Iran and Japan in the group but a lack of international exposure should give the Three Lions enough encouragement to take three crucial points from the group.

As it stands, the best possible scenario for England is

Pot 1: Switzerland

Pot 2: Algeria

Pot 3: Honduras

Pot 4: England

Pot 1 holds a serious challenge for England, with Brazil and Argentina both equally likely of giving them a tough time. However, being the host country, Brazil will look all the more daunting in front of a vociferous home crowd making them the team to avoid for the Three Lions.

Pot 3 can be a bit of a let-off for England given the quality of opponents in the other two pots. However, drawing Japan can have serious consequences for Roy Hodgson's side. The Asian nation have won their last game against a full strength Belgium side in November, having drawn 2-2 with Netherlands three days back. The likes of Shinji Kagawa have experience in the biggest stage and will be a handful if they make it to England's group.

Pot 4 hosts the likes of Portugal, Netherlands, France and Italy and England will be grateful to avoid either of the four teams in order to bolster their chances of progression. However, given the quality of the sides, it is Netherlands who look the most daunting, having the likes of Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Wesley Sneijder to up the tempo when needed. The 2010 World Cup finalists have not been at their best in the 2012 Euro Cup but were among the most consistent European teams in the qualifiers.

As it stands, the worst possible scenario for England:

Pot 1: Brazil

Pot 2: England

Pot 3: Japan

Pot 4: Netherlands