Ronaldo and Portugal in line to face England

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 23:02

ENGLAND could face either their nemesis Portugal or the Netherlands in the group stage of the World Cup finals next summer.

France's controversial qualification for the finals should see Les Bleus as one of the eight seeded teams in South Africa – along with England.

That opens up the possibility of yet another match-up with Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, who under FIFA's expected formula would have been seeded instead had France been beaten by the Republic of Ireland on Wednesday night.

Fifa's World Cup organising committee are expected to confirm the eight seeds at a meeting in Cape Town on 2 December, two days before the draw.

Using Fifa's favoured formula, and the one used for the 2006 World Cup, current world rankings and performances in the previous two finals would see Germany, Brazil, Italy, Spain, England, France and Argentina seeded in that order along with hosts South Africa.

The rest of the draw would then proceed with no other seeds, but ensuring that no more than two European teams are in any of the eight groups, and no more than one country from South America, Africa and Asia in any group.

Fabio Capello will no doubt be glad his side will avoid the real big hitters, but will be acutely aware that the draw can still deliver England into the much-heralded "Group of Death."

The worst-case scenario would be England chosen in a group with Portugal or Holland, USA and the Ivory Coast.

The best would see England take on Slovenia, North Korea and Algeria.