Spain and France will also battle it out with Belarus, Georgia and Finland in the five-team Group I, with only the pool winners guaranteed a place at the finals in Brazil in three years' time.

The winners of the nine groups qualify automatically and the eight best runners-up play off for the four places remaining.

Croatia will face fierce rivals Serbia in a strong-looking Group A along with Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia and Wales.

Portugal and Russia will go head to head in Group F, where they were joined by Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

Germany came out in Group C along with Sweden, the Republic of Ireland, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.

England avoided Europe's big-hitters as they were joined in Group H by Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino.

It is 45 years ago today since England won their one and only World Cup - and 81 years today since Uruguay triumphed in the very first World Cup final.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had launched the draw insisting the world governing body had confidence that Brazil would overcome delays in preparations.

Blatter said: "We need the support of the government of Brazil, the state governments, the organising committee and the 190million fans of football that is the population of Brazil.

"It is a matter of trust and confidence and FIFA have trust in Brazil and are confident of its abilities.

"Football is the beating heart of Brazil. It is a multi-cultural country of joy and celebration blessed with natural beauty and a booming economy ranking number seven in the world."

Group A
Croatia
Serbia
Belgium
Scotland
Macedonia
Wales

Group B
Italy
Denmark
Czech Republic
Bulgaria
Armenia
Malta

Group C
Germany
Sweden
Republic of Ireland
Austria
Faroe Islands
Kazakhstan

Group D
Netherlands
Turkey
Hungary
Romania
Estonia
Andorra

Group E
Norway
Slovenia
Switzerland
Albania
Cyprus
Iceland

Group F
Portugal
Russia
Israel
Northern Ireland
Azerbaijan
Luxembourg

Group G
Greece
Slovakia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Lithuania
Latvia
Liechtenstein

Group H
England
Montenegro
Ukraine
Poland
Moldova
San Marino

Group I
Spain
France
Belarus
Georgia
Finland