England have been handed a tough looking draw for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, their Group D opponents Uruguay, Italy and Cost Rica.
It means that Roy Hodgson’s side will be forced to play in the tournament’s only 2am kick-off (UK time) when they face Italy on June 14. That match will be played in Manaus, the furthest north of the host cities.
Not only will that mean a 2,600-mile trip from England’s training base in Rio, but the tropical climate will be difficult. Temperatures can reach 30C in Manaus, with a 40% chance of thunderstorms in June and humidity often up to 80%.
The only game of the tournament will be between Brazil and Croatia, in Sao Paulo, on June 12.
GROUP A: Brazil, Mexico, Croatia and Cameroon
GROUP B: Spain, Chile, Australia and Netherlands.
GROUP C: Colombia, Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan.
GROUP D: Uruguay, England, Costa Rica and Italy.
GROUP E: Switzerland, Ecuador, France and Honduras.
GROUP F: Argentina, Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.
GROUP G: Germany, Ghana, Portugal and USA.
GROUP H: Belgium, Algeria, Russia and South Korea.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here