Fabio Capello not fazed by 'group of death' scenario

Published on Thursday 3 December 2009 22:05

FABIO Capello insists he does not fear England ending up in a 'group of death' in today's draw for the World Cup finals but has warned of the strength of the six African countries.

England are one of the eight top seeds for the draw and so guaranteed to avoid the powerhouses of world football such as bookies' favourites Brazil, holders Italy and European champions Spain in the group stage. But France and Portugal are among the unseeded European teams who could end up in England's pool – as well as several tough African teams such as an Ivory Coast side boasting Didier Drogba and Barcelona's Yaya Toure.

Capello said: "No I don't worry about that (a 'group of death']. You have to play against all of the teams at some point, but of course if you play against the best teams it's not so easy to pass the first round. If we want to win you have to play against all of the teams. It is not important which team we have to play in the group." The Italian believes an African side will make it to the semi-finals in South Africa next summer. He added: "I think about the Africans and I believe this will be one of the most important World Cups for the African teams.

"I believe one of these countries will get to the last four. I saw the Ivory Coast play against Germany and they are a very strong team."

Football Association chairman Lord Triesman predicted England "will sail through" the group stage if they keep to their qualifying campaign form. In a rehearsal for tonight's draw, England were drawn with Australia, Slovakia and Cameroon, which Capello would no doubt settle for.

England will have one European opponent and have a one-in-five chance of getting an African team – the other option from that pot is an unseeded South American side. The fourth opponent will be from Asia, Oceania and north/central America with Mexico and the United States looking as though they are the teams to avoid.