World Cup 2018 Draw: Group A, H the easiest but England and Spain complicate Round of 16 paths

SOCCEROOS

Why not. After all, four years ago, the Socceroos copped Spain, Netherlands and Chile, whereas this time around, much like in 2006 and 2010, the draw says: if you’re good enough, you’ll go through - even though the three sides are all in FIFA’s top 12. As far as South American and European rivals could have gone, the Australians could have fared a lot worse. Penny for your thoughts, Ange Postecoglou?

(Ante Milicic finds himself front and centre)

LOSERS

RUSSIA & URUGUAY

You can’t have it all go your way. This seems like a strange choice for ‘loser’, given the pair would highly fancy their chances of qualifying past Egypt and Saudi Arabia in a very soft group. But, while usually you think coming first gives you half a chance in the Round of 16, both the winners, and runners up, in Group A, will, if it goes to form, play Portugal or Spain. Great group, tough path thereafter.

MOROCCO & IRAN

As mentioned earlier, they’ve copped the rough end of the stick.

(TOPSHOT - Brazil's former defender Cafu (R) shows the name of "Sweden" next to Argentina's former midfielder Diego Maradona)

“Everyone wanted to avoid Spain in Pot 2. We inherited it. Thanks for that,” Morocco coach Herve Renard said. “We have to face these two ogres (Spain and Portugal) and do everything to qualify for the last 16, even if it seems very difficult.”

Iran’s Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, who also had a brief spell in charge at Real Madrid, was more enthusiastic as he claimed he couldn’t have wished for a better draw.

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