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The continent with the highest seeds for the finals, Europe, was the last region to be drawn. Wales were the first team to be drawn from the pot and they are pooled into Group A along with rivals Scotland, Serbia, Belgium and Croatia, while Macedonia will offer the customary resistance, but the Croatians start as clear favourites in the group. Group B promises to be a cracker as Italy, Denmark and Czech Republic fight it out along with Bulgaria, Armenia and Malta.

Germany have an easy ride in Group C, with Sweden and Ireland the only sides capable of mounting a challenge of any capacity. 2010 finalists, Netherlands, also have a straightforward group, with the threat expected to come from Turkey, Hungary and possibly Romania. Current holders Spain have been drawn in Group I along with France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland.

England face familiar faces in Group H as they line up alongside Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino. Portugal and Russia will fight for honors in Group F while Group E is fairly open as Norway, Slovenia and Switzerland try to fend off Albania, Cyprus and Iceland.

The biggest contest will undoubtedly be the clash between Spain and France in Group I, with the games effectively deciding who wins the group. Ranked the 10th highest in Europe, France were always likely to get a rough deal with only 9 groups being drawn. They will consider themselves more than a little unlucky getting the reigning World and European champions.

Italy versus Czech Republic should also make for lively viewing. Netherlands vs Turkey should be an encounter of pure excitement while Portugal vs Russia should be an interesting battle. Over in the British Isles, Scotland versus Wales promises to be a humdinger, especially with both sides seeking to make that rare foray into the World Cup finals. England don't have any stand out fixtures, with the game against Ukraine possibly their toughest assignment. England certainly dodged a bullet as they were the second last name drawn from the pot and it was either them or Spain who were scheduled to join France in Group I.

Europe has the simplest qualification scenario as eight groups of six teams and one group of five battle it out to grab the nine automatic places. The top eight runners-up then enter a two-legged playoff round. The four winners then join group winners to complete the set of 13 representatives from Europe.

Groups

A - Croatia, Serbia, Belgium, Scotland, Macedonia, Wales
B - Italy, Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta
C - Germany, Sweden, Ireland, Austria, Faroe Islands, Kazakhistan
D - Netherlands, Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia, Andorra
E - Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus, Iceland
F - Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northen Island, Azerbaijan, Luxembourg
G - Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein
H - England, Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova, San Marino
I -• Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia, Finalnd

Read Also: 2014 World Cup Qualifying: Africa

Photo by 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa