England will face Iran, USA and potentially Scotland or Wales in Group B of this year's World Cup, a draw that will please manager Gareth Southgate after avoiding the biggest names in this evening's draw in Doha.
The European Championship finalists were the second name out of the drum, following hosts Qatar, and that means they will play on the opening day of the tournament on 21 November - eight days after the final round of Premier League fixtures.
England will not have fond memories of their last competitive meeting with the United States - a 1-1 draw in the 2010 World Cup - but Christian Pulisic's team are on paper the weakest side they could have faced from Pot 2. Southgate will be rather pleased that they have avoided the likes of Netherlands, Germany and Uruguay from their potential opponents in that category, in addition to African champions Senegal in Pot 3.
Should Wales or Scotland, who must play-off versus Ukraine in early June with the winner facing the former in a final, make it to the tournament they will face England in the final set of group games. Scotland earned a deserved draw in the group stages of last summer's Euros at Wembley, while Wales were desperately unlucky not to take a point when they met England at Euro 2016.
For neutrals the meeting of USA and Iran will command a lot of attention. Among other highlights, Group E pitted Spain and Germany together, while hosts Qatar face a tall order against Netherlands and African champions Senegal. Brazil will be favourites in Group G but it is tricky to call the next best from Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon.
Draw in full
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
Group B: England, IR Iran, USA, Scotland/Ukraine or Wales
Group C: Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Poland
Group D: France, Peru/UAE or Australia, Denmark, Tunisia
Group E: Spain, Costa Rica or New Zealand, Germany, Japan
Group F: Belgium, Canada, Morocco, Croatia
Group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland, Cameroon
Group H: Portugal, Ghana, Uruguay, Korea Republic
