Herbert sat in Wellington as the draw unfolded on Saturday morning, unable to attend the festivities in Cape Town due to Phoenix's A-League fixture the previous evening against Melbourne Victory.

He watched on intently as New Zealand drew Italy, the World Cup champion in 2006, along with Paraguay and Slovakia who are ranked 30th and 34th in the world respectively.

"Italy obviously speaks for itself but Slovakia and Paraguay are two new sides and something completely different to New Zealand," Herbert said.

"(They are) two big obstacles but we go in with some confidence.

"If we can get our planning right, get our preparation right and get the volume of games that are certainly going to be needed, then I think we go across there in a very positive way."

The ideal scenario would have been drawing South Africa, which was placed as one of the eight seeded nations due to it hosting the tournament which kicks off in June next year.

But instead it was Italy, a daunting prospect for the All Whites but one that should create plenty of interest back home.

They were also pleased to have avoided the unseeded threats of the likes of France, Portugal and Ivory Coast - even if Paraguay and Slovakia will fancy themselves to do the business against Herbert's rank outsiders.

"I think most of the sides now will see New Zealand in the group and perhaps see that as an opportunity to grab three points," he said.

"We'll be going there with very strong ambitions to make a statement and make it as difficult as we can."

The planning is already under way and Herbert has been on the phone to assistant coach Brian Turner, who stepped in to attend the World Cup draw.

Gaining the right type of match practice to suit their Group F opponents is a key, as is the logistical side of things and also acclimatising to the high altitude in South Africa.

"We'll look to move as quickly as we can now from a preparation point of view," Herbert said.

"Getting two European teams may change our thinking a little bit and certainly hopefully having some activity in that part of the world before going."

New Zealand are already familiar with the location for their opening match against Slovakia, to be played in Rustenburg on June 15. It is the same venue the All Whites played a pair of Confederations Cup matches earlier this year.

In the lead-up to that tournament, New Zealand almost sprung an upset of Herculean proportions when they lead Italy for a majority of their warm-up encounter before eventually going down 4-3.