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England coach thomas tuchel Says he faces a “tough group” after draw against England croatiaGhana and panama at next summer’s World Cup finals in North America.
Croatia are one of the toughest opponents for England after being drawn in Group L and their first match will be in Toronto or Dallas on June 17.
“Tough group, tough opener. Tough group with Croatia and Ghana, two regulars at the World Cup and two proud and strong countries,” Tuchel told the BBC.
“Panama, I don’t know much about Panama right now but we will find out before the tournament starts.”
Croatia reached the final by defeating England in 2018 and reached the semi-finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
“Nobody should be underestimated,” Tuchel said. “Of course, Croatia are exceptional, they are the highest ranked team from pot two that we got in our group but listen, Ghana is always loaded with talent and can always surprise and has a great history in World Cup football.
“Panama will try to make the most of its underdog role. No one can be underestimated, everyone deserves full respect and we can show that.”
Scotland have been drawn in Group C against five-time world champions Brazil and 2022 semi-finalists Morocco as well as Haiti.
If the Republic of Ireland can come through the March play-offs they will be in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and South Africa.
If Wales or Northern Ireland are victorious in the play-off, they will enter Group B with co-hosts Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
England knew before even a single ball was drawn that they would benefit from the introduction of a new Wimbledon-style seeding system fifaThat would keep them away from Spain and Argentina until the semi-finals, and France until the final if all four countries win their groups.
Croatia reached the final by defeating England in 2018 before reaching the semi-finals at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. The locations and start times of the group matches will be confirmed by FIFA on Saturday.
If England win the group, they will face the third-placed team in the round of 32 in Atlanta on July 1.
England faced Panama in the 2018 final, beating them 6–1 in the group stage, while they had never faced Ghana in a competitive match before.
Scotland have faced Brazil four times before in the World Cup – in 1974, 1982, 1990 and 1998. That last meeting was the opening game of the 1998 final – the last time Scotland qualified.
Scotland’s first match will be against Haiti on 13 June.
If Wales or Northern Ireland can do so, they will open the match against co-hosts Canada in Toronto on June 12. Wales face Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-off semi-finals, while Michael O’Neill’s side are away to Italy.
If the Republic can reach the play-off semi-finals against the Czech Republic and then beat Denmark or North Macedonia, it will play South Korea first on 11 June.