World Cup draw - reaction & analysis Draw BBC Two 1:34:00 LIVE Full World Cup schedule here Summary Show more updates England in Group G with Belgium, Tunisia & Panama England's first game against Tunisia in Volgograd Group A: Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay, Egypt. Group B: Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Iran Russia v Saudi Arabia is first game of World Cup Group C: France, Australia, Peru, Denmark. Group D: Argentina, Iceland, Croatia, Nigeria Group E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia. Group F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea Group H: Poland, Senegal, Colombia, Japan Live Reporting By Tom Rostance All times stated are UK 17:43 The draw in 60 seconds... 17:42 Egypt -> Group A John Bennett BBC World Service If Mohamed Salah is 100% fit in Russia I think Egypt will get out of Group A. With him they definitely have enough to beat Russia and Saudi Arabia 17:41 What do we know about Tunisia? Pedigree: Next summer will represent the first time Tunisia have appeared at a World Cup finals since the tournament in Germany in 2006, at which they failed to make it beyond the group stage. In three finals appearances prior to that - 1978, 1998 and 2002 - they failed to make the knockout rounds. Key player: Centre-back Aymen Abdennour is an experienced and talented figure in Tunisia's defence. Currently on loan at French club Marseille from Valencia, he has 57 international caps and has scored twice. Previously linked with moves to the Premier League with both Everton and Chelsea, the 28-year-old was recently reported to be on Watford's radar. Wahbi Khazri began this season in the Championship with Sunderland but joined Rennes on loan in August Premier League players: None Championship players: Wahbi Khazri (Sunderland, on loan at Rennes) Who is the boss? Nabil Maaloul is in his second spell as Tunisia coach. His first lasted just seven games in 2013, which ended in his resignation after he failed to take his country to the 2014 World Cup finals. He returned in April of 2017, following spells with El Jaish SC in Qatar and the Kuwait national team. Prior to all this, he was assistant to then head coach Roger Lemerre as Tunisia won the 2004 African Cup of Nations and led ES Tunis to an historic treble in 2011. He won 74 caps for Tunisia during his playing days as a midfielder in the 1980s and 1990s, representing them at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. 17:38 What do we know about Belgium? Well, quite a lot, actually... Pedigree: Having failed to qualify for the previous two tournaments, Belgium reached the quarter-finals at Brazil 2014, losing to eventual runners-up Argentina. The Red Devils' best finish was fourth in 1986. Eden Hazard made his Belgium debut as a 17-year- old in 2008 Key player: Eden Hazard. The twinkle-toed Chelsea forward unlocks defences with his rapid change of pace, close control and eye for a pass. He also wears the captain's armband for Roberto Martinez's side. Premier League players: Michy Batshuayi, Thibaut Courtois, Eden Hazard (all Chelsea), Simon Mignolet (Liverpool), Toby Alderweireld, Moussa Dembele, Jan Vertonghen, (all Tottenham), Kevin De Bruyne, Vincent Kompany (both Manchester City), Marouane Fellaini, Romelu Lukaku (both Manchester United), Steven Defour (Burnley), Nacer Chadli (West Brom), Kevin Mirallas (Everton), Christian Benteke (Crystal Palace), Divock Origi (Wolfsburg, on loan from Liverpool), Christian Kabasele (Watford), Laurent Depoitre (Huddersfield). Scottish Premiership player: Dedryck Boyata (Celtic) Who's the boss? Roberto Martinez's big achievement in English football was guiding Wigan to FA Cup success in 2013, although they were relegated three days later. The former Swansea and Everton manager's prowess in organising an attack has never been in question, but there were concerns over his defensive aptitude at club level. That shouldn't be a problem with this Belgium outfit, who have the likes of Tottenham defenders Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld, and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany in their ranks. 17:36 What do we know about Panama? Pedigree : None. Panama reached their first World Cup finals with a victory over Costa Rica that took advantage of the United States' defeat by Trinidad & Tobago. They were runners-up at Concacaf's Gold Cup in 2013. Key player : Roman Torres, 31, is a central defender who plays for Seattle Sounders and whose composure and leadership will be vital if Panama are to have any chance of making an impression in Russia. His name has already been etched indelibly into Panama's history after scoring the winning goal against Costa Rica that clinched their qualification. Hernan Dario Gomez has done a remarkable job by steering Panama to the finals Premier League players : None. Only three of the current squad play in Europe. Who's the boss? Colombian Hernan Dario Gomez has had a varied international coaching career, including managing his homeland twice. This will be his third World Cup after taking Colombia to the 1998 finals, where they lost to England, and Ecuador to the 2002 tournament. 17:35 'An absolute bye' Mark Lawrenson Former Republic of Ireland defender on BBC Radio 5 live If England don’t qualify from the group, it’s time to pack it in. It’s that good a draw. It’s an absolute bye. Gareth Southgate isn't expected to get through – he has to get through. Where would England be if they didn’t make it out of the group? 17:32 Group H 1. Poland 2. Senegal 3. Colombia 4. Japan 17:32 Group G 1. Belgium 2. Panama 3. Tunisia 4. England 17:32 Group F 1. Germany 2. Mexico 3. Sweden 4. South Korea 17:31 Group E 1. Brazil 2. Switzerland 3. Costa Rica 4. Serbia 17:31 Group D 1. Argentina 2. Iceland 3. Croatia 4. Nigeria 17:30 Group C 1. France 2. Australia 3. Peru 4. Denmark 17:30 Group B 1. Portugal 2. Spain 3. Morocco 4. Iran 17:28 Group A 1. Russia 2. Saudi Arabia 3. Egypt 4. Uruguay 17:28 Let's recap the groups In case you're just finishing work, etc, let's recap the groups in full: 17:24 Saudi genius Russia v Saudi Arabia We may have been a bit sniffy about Saudi Arabia playing Russia in the opener but we won't be if they bring this to the table... 17:20 Reminiscing with Shearer Tunisia v England (18 June 2018) 17:16 Quote of the day? Argentina 2014 runners-up Lionel Messi = massive plus. #WorldCupDraw 🏆 FIFAWorldCup We're sure having #Messi in your ranks is a plus, Jorge! 😄🇦🇷 #WorldCupDraw 5:15 p.m. - 1 December 2017 17:15 1.9% chance of winning! England World Cup winners 1966 View more on Twitter 17:10 The fixtures are all in The wallchart is fully loaded. If like me you're blinded by time zones and easily confused you can see when the games all kick off now. Just press here. 17:02 'Shouldn't be difficult to improve' Alan Shearer Former Newcastle striker on BBC Radio 5 live It's a big advantage for Gareth Southgate that he's been at a tournament as a player. He knows what makes a player tick at a tournament and what they need. He'll be confident about this group. The homework starts now. We can't look at qualifying games as England again go in unbeaten. He's given some youngsters a chance. The expectation is no longer there now from the past couple of tournaments. I don't expect us to go to Russia and win but I expect us to improve on the last tournament when we lost to Iceland. That's what the country are looking for. It shouldn't be difficult. 17:01 'Panama are slow' Tim Vickery BBC Sport South American football expert on 5 live It's an accessible enough group for England. Panama are nearly South America - it used to be part of Colombia. It's a generation of players they have. They were a bit unfortunate not to reach the last World Cup. Their players are in their mid-30s. They're a bit long in the tooth and a bit slow. They needed some fortune to qualify. What we've often seen from Latin American sides - and I'm worried for Peru too - is that sometimes the tournament can pass them by. The emotional level, it's different from anything else they've experienced. They often don't play well until their third game. England is their second match. I'll be very surprised if England don't pick up three points against them. 16:58 'We know everything about Belgium' England v Belgium (28 June) 5 Live England boss Gareth Southgate to BBC Radio 5 live: "There was a danger you get someone like a Serbia from pot four, which would have been extremely tough opposition. We need to find out more about Tunisia and Panama as we haven’t been tracking them. "We know everything about Belgium. I think that will capture the imagination back home as they have so many players in our league. They have probably the best group of players they’ve ever had. "My experience of tournaments is you need to get a result in all three matches. Tunisia takes me back to Marseille in 1998. Leading my country into a World Cup is an incredibly exciting moment for me. "It could fit perfectly with what we have arranged [for pre-tournament friendlies]. We’ll let you know what those are when they’re finalised. "What’s exciting is we can start to put some meat on the bones of what we do at the end of the season. Our season finishes later than some of the other countries. "In the past we’ve assumed we’ll be in certain rounds but we need to make sure we get out of our group." 16:55 'Whatever, we have to advance' Group F Germany World Cup holders "From a sports perspective this is a very interesting group of opponents," said coach Joachim Low. "What we want to do in the group stage is set a foundation for the successful title defence. "We know Mexico from this year's Confederations Cup, Sweden we know from Europe. South Korea is a bit more unknown for us but I look forward to this group. At such a draw everything is possible. Whatever the group, we have to advance. I was generally relaxed. There is no reason for us to be nervous." 16:51 'All about Belgium?' Phil McNulty BBC Sport chief football writer The final group game against Belgium in Kaliningrad is likely to decide the group winners barring surprises – and this will clearly be the toughest assignment for Gareth Southgate and his team. Belgium coach Roberto Martinez has an intimate knowledge of the Premier League after his time at Wigan Atletic and Everton while their outstanding generation of players has a heavy top-flight influence, including two performers of unquestioned world class in Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. Tunisia, who England meet in their opening game in Volgograd on Monday 18 June, are ranked 27th in the Fifa rankings, and will be heavy underdogs while a meeting with Panama, ranked 56th and at their first World Cup, should hold no terrors. England’s immediate fate appears to hang on that meeting with Belgium but Southgate will surely be confident of qualifying from Group G. 16:49 Get involved #bbcfootball or 81111 on text No tackles! Harry Kane and Dele Ali up against Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen. Training at Spurs will be interesting towards the end of the season. John, North London 16:46 Groups of death/life Football analysts Gracenote Sports have assessed the groups and, based on their world football ranking, they've come up with the following conclusions: - Group A is the weakest group. Russia are the second-weakest team from pot one (even accounting for home advantage), Uruguay are the second-weakest from pot two, Egypt the weakest from pot three and Saudi Arabia the weakest from pot four. - Group B looks like the strongest group. It is particularly tough on top seeds Portugal, who couldn't have done much worse from being top seeded. The other teams in with them are Spain (highest ranked in pot two, Iran (second-highest ranked in pot three) and Morocco (second-highest ranked in pot four). Note: these assessments are based on Gracenote's rankings, not the Fifa rankings. 16:46 'A satisfactory outcome for the FA' Phil McNulty BBC Sport chief football writer England can have no excuses if there is a repeat of the embarrassment of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil when they failed to even emerge from the group phase. Manager Gareth Southgate will rightly exercise public caution about a group that puts them up against Belgium, Tunisia and Panama – but privately he and the Football Association will surely regard this as a highly satisfactory outcome. There was certainly no need for FA chairman Greg Clarke to repeat the cut-throat gesture predecessor Greg Dyke delivered when England were drawn against Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica ahead of her last World Cup in Brazil. 16:45 'The country knows what's coming and they can get excited' England World Cup winners 1966 More from Gareth Southgate, on group fixtures: "There's a bit of travelling, but having the six-day break between games might help any injuries clear up. You're always grateful for as much prep as possible. "Travel wise, the way tournaments are now you've got to be adaptable, but our kick-off times are decent as well. "It's been great today to mix with more experienced coaches. It's nice to have a fresh challenge. "When you’re trying to qualify, you don't think about days like today but that's the beauty of the World Cup. When you look at old videos and goals it takes you back to the pureness of football. Now, the country knows what's coming and they can get excited. "I was proud to play for my country, and to lead my country is beyond that. I’m really looking forward to it." 16:41 Get involved #bbcfootball or 81111 on text Stuart: Is France, Australia, Peru and Denmark the most uninspiring group of all time? Who can think of a worse #worldcup group? England, Algeria, USA, Slovenia? 16:39 'Messi +10' Conor McNamara BBC Radio 5 live commentator France are one of the teams you’d fancy to win the World Cup – they have so many young, exciting players. Can they gel and mesh together? There’s usually a falling-out. Iceland will be fascinating. If they have the same bulk of players from Euro 2016, they'll have a spirit. Argentina only scraped into the World Cup. They were in big danger of missing out. They'll be relying on Lionel Messi. They're not the presence you'd expect. They're like Messi plus a team. Serbia are one to look out for. They're in with Brazil, Costa Rica and Switzerland - who came through against Northern Ireland. Aided massively via a controversial handball decision. I'd say Brazil and Serbia will come through that. 16:36 'We've been good at writing teams off' England World Cup winners 1966 England manager Gareth Southgate speaking on BBC Two: "Remembering the Tunisia game in 1998, it was the first thing that went through my mind. It was a fantastic day and it's nice to be able to relive that. "We haven't done as much preparing on the African teams yet so now that's what we can focus in on." On Panama: "We've been good at writing teams off and then getting beat. We’ve got to be prepared for every game." 16:34 'A very special draw' England v Belgium (28 June) Belgium Semi-finalists 1986 Belgium manager Roberto Martinez: "I lived for 21 years in England so it is very special. It's the World Cup, we have a challenging draw, lots of travelling. "We are looking forward to it. We have a really good group of players, 25 players are now in the British game so are very well known. They have important roles in important teams and they enjoy playing for their country." 16:31 England have done it! England v Belgium (28 June) Could it be 1990 all over again? 16:28 'Eriksen can have the Bale effect' Conor McNamara BBC Radio 5 live commentator The game of the group stage is Spain against Portugal. At the last World Cup, Spain were very poor. Portugal will be on a high having won Euro 2016. Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay and Egypt makes me smile. The Russians will be pleased with that. It gives them at least a sniff of a chance of getting through. I saw Denmark beat the Republic of Ireland in the play-offs. Christian Eriksen for Denmark, is like Gareth Bale for Wales. One good player can make the difference as we saw with Wales at Euro 2016. Eriksen can have that same effect. 16:27 Matt got his dates wrong #bbcfootball or 81111 on text What a relief... (who books a wedding during a World Cup?) View more on Twitter 16:26 Where are England playing? England v Belgium (28 June) Approximate distance from Moscow: 770 miles Location: Kaliningrad is the administrative centre of Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave situated on the Baltic Sea, sandwiched between Poland to the south and Lithuania to the north and east. Background: Loosely based on the design of Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, the newly-built Kaliningrad Stadium has been plagued by delays and difficulties, including the the bankruptcy of the company responsible for its initial design. It was initially conceived as a 45,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof. However, this had to be scaled back to the more modest, roofless 35,000 venue that will host four first-round group matches in the 2018 World Cup. After this summer's tournament, the stadium will have 10,000 seats removed and become the home of Russian second-tier side Baltika Kaliningrad, whose average attendance last season was just short of 3,500. 16:23 How far do England need to travel? 16:22 They think it's all over! Gary Flintoff BBC Radio 5 live at the World Cup draw in Moscow And that is that. Gareth Southgate must be happy with that draw. All the coaches posed for a photograph on the stage after the show ended. They all have media commitments to attend to - but most are happy chatting with each other. The media can wait! 16:19 England's record against their group opponents England have not lost to Belgium in their past 11 meetings – their only defeat against them came in 1936. That was their only loss in 23 games overall. The Three Lions have met Tunisia twice before, drawing a friendly in 1990 and beating them at the 1998 World Cup in France, while England have never met Panama. So that's P23, L1 against their group-sta