Donovan, the USA's all-time leading goalscorer, has a potential head-to-head meeting with Los Angeles Galaxy team-mate David Beckham when the two countries open their Group C campaigns in Rustenberg, with Algeria and Slovenia also in the group.

"It could have been worse," Donovan said after watching the draw from New York.

"It's going to be fun. Depending on where I play, playing against [Frank] Lampard, [Steven] Gerrard in a midfield against those guys is going to be pretty fun.

"I can't think of a better match-up personally."

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Donovan clashed verbally with Beckham earlier this year after the American questioned the Englishman's commitment to the Galaxy and Major League Soccer following an extended loan move at AC Milan.

The two mended fences over the course of the 2009 MLS season and combined to help the Galaxy reach last month's MLS Cup league title decider, which LA lost in a penalty shoot-out in Seattle.

Beckham will return to Milan on a second loan deal on December 28, not returning to MLS until the end of the World Cup, but of the possibility of playing against Beckham, Donovan added: "Hopefully we'll both be there, because a lot can happen between now and then but if that's the case, it'll be fun.

"There'll be a lot of talking before the first game. He won't be around with the Galaxy before the tournament starts so it won't be as intense as it might be but it's going to be fun to see him there.

"We've just talked about being there and seeing each other there but I don't think it entered our minds that we might be playing each other."

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Donovan's international team-mate DaMarcus Beasley was similarly enthused by the draw.

"It's going to be a great game, we have got a lot of players in England at the moment so we know them well," he told Sky Sports News.

"We played them last year and they have some great players.

"It's obviously on paper the toughest game either way. England's a great side, they have a lot of great players but we have a good squad with players that are very experienced, so I think we have a good chance."

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Slovenian Football Association chief Ivan Simic conceded the draw was a tough one for his unfancied team, who have been paired with England just months after losing to Fabio Capello's men 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley.

Slovenia, who knocked Russia out of the European play-offs, lost all three games in their first appearance in the competition in 2002, and the scale of the task ahead will not be lost on them this time around.

"I can not say that the group is easy," said Simic. "They are very strong opponents, there are Englishmen and Americans, and Algeria can not be overlooked.

"It is clear that the work will be difficult, but so far we have shown that we are at our best when it is most difficult.

"Notwithstanding the names of our opponents, I think that there may still be hope for reaching the second round."

Slovenia coach Matjaz Kek also believes his side cannot be underestimated, saying: "Depending on how we prepare, what condition we are in, I am convinced Slovenia will leave a good impression on the 2010 World Cup.

"We are able to play in the second round."

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Kek added: "I'm not going to discuss if I'm satisfied with the draw or not, because in the end, you still have to play the games.

"All the teams are higher ranked than Slovenia and that is a fact. It's obvious that England are the favourites but it's good that we have recent experience with them.

"I stand firm on my position that we have enough quality to play in the second round."

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