The draw in Leipzig saw England avoid the heavyweights of world football and Eriksson’s side should be confident of progressing at least into the last 16.

Sweden, who drew 1-1 with England in the 2002 group stage, will provide the strongest threat but Paraguay are perhaps the weakest South American side and Trinidad and Tobago the real minnows of tournaments.

England’s first match will be against Paraguay in Frankfurt on June 10, followed by Trinidad and Tobago in Nuremburg on June 15 and their final match of the first phase against Sweden in Cologne on June 20.

Brazil will kick off their defence of the World Cup against Croatia following the draw for the 2006 tournament in Leipzig.

The world champions are in Group F, which also contains debutants Australia and 2002 hosts Japan.

Hosts Germany will kick off the tournament against Costa Rica, and are joined in Group A by Poland and Ecuador.

The draw threw up a number of difficult looking groups, with the proverbial ‘group of death’ arguably being Group C, which sees Argentina paired with Ivory Coast, Serbia & Montenegro and Holland.

Group E also looks tricky, where Italy play first-time qualifiers Ghana, the United States and Czech Republic.

Group D sees Mexico placed with Iran, Angola and Portugal.

France play neighbours Switzerland in Group G before matches against South Korea and first-timers Togo.

Finally, Group H has Spain paired Ukraine, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia.