Nov 25, 2007, 22:36 GMT
Durban, South Africa - England encounter Croatia again in qualifying for the 2010 football World Cup while North and South Korea will also meet.
Christian Karembeu from New Caledonia, draws Denmark in the European zone during the FIFA 2010 World Cup Preliminary draw in Durban, South Africa, 25 November 2007. South Africa will host the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
Just four days after England missed the Euro 2008 finals due to a 3-2 home defeat against the Croats, the team was given the chance for revenge in the qualifying draw in Durban on Sunday.
England and Croatia are joined in Group 6 by Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra in the draw made by former French star Christian Karembeu - with the group winner advancing directly to the World Cup in South Africa from the nine European groups.
The best eight second-placed teams determine the remaining qualifiers in home and away ties.
Defending World Cup champions Italy face a tricky group 8 with Bulgaria, Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro.
Three-time champions Germany face Wales, by whom they were held to a 0-0 draw last Wednesday, as well as Russia and Finland in group 6.
Earlier, former Iran star Ali Daei drew the two Koreas into one group 3 along with Jordan and Turkministan into this Group 3.
Australia, China, Asian champions Iraq and Qatar, meanwhile, form what can be described as a group of death as all four countries are considered potential World Cup finalists. Australia are playing for the first time in Asian World Cup qualifying after a move from Oceania.
Qatar were the very first team of the evening and the Middle Eastern country to be placed by former World Footballer George Weah.
In the central, North American and Caribbean zone, the United States and Mexico will not meet in the first group stage after two knockout rounds.
The draw of the African zone was due to complete the ceremony later Sunday.
Earlier, South African President Thabo Mbeki welcomed visitors from around the world who gathered for the first big occasion around the tournament since South Africa in 2004 won the first World Cup for the African continent from the ruling body FIFA.
FIFA boss Joseph Blatter said: 'It was justice for this continent - the chance for us to give something back to Africa.'
A record 200 countries entered the World Cup qualifying marathon to join hosts South Africa, the only country with direct entry into the 32-team tournament to be played June 11-July 11, 2010.
South American qualifying was not drawn as all teams play in one group. Oceania action is also already underway and Asia had one round of knockout ties to bring its original 41 entries down to 20 teams.
That left 169 teams contesting Sunday's draw.
Although automatic qualifiers as hosts, South Africa were also included in the draw as the African preliminary competition doubles up as the qualifying round of the African Cup of Nations.
A total of 861 matches are scheduled to be played until the preliminary round ends in November 2009, with the draw for the finals scheduled for Cape Town the following month.
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