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World Cup: Ronaldo's Portugal to Battle It Out With Spain in 'Group of Death'

© AP Photo / Francisco SecoCristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo - Sputnik International
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The draw for next year's World Cup in Russia has taken place in Moscow. Sputnik looks at which teams have been drawn together.

The final draw has pitched two of the world's best teams together in what will inevitably become the "Group of Death."

Spain and Portugal were drawn together in Group B, along with Iran and Morocco.

The hosts, Russia, were drawn with Uruguay, Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

READ MORE: Final Draw for 2018 FIFA World Cup as It Unfolded (PHOTO, VIDEO)

England Take on Belgian 'Golden Generation'

England were drawn in the same group as Belgium, whose "golden generation" of young players includes Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and midfielder Eden Hazard.

But although the Belgians will be a tough nut to crack, England manager Gareth Southgate was probably pleasantly surprised by Tunisia and Panama, who join them in the Group G.

​England's first game will be against Tunisia in Volgograd, which was the site of the famous battle of Stalingrad in World War II, and its other group games are in Nizhny Novgorod and Kaliningrad.

British and Russian police forces may have breathed a sigh of relief that England fans will not be playing their group games in Moscow or St Petersburg.

France were drawn with Denmark, Australia and Peru.

Messi's Argentina Face Tough Group

Argentina, who made it to the final in 2014 but lost to Germany, were were drawn in the same group as Croatia, Nigeria and Iceland, who have more volcanoes (126) than they do professional footballers (120).

© AP Photo / Victor R. CaivanoArgentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.  - Sputnik International
Argentina's Lionel Messi reacts during a World Cup qualifying soccer match against Peru at La Bombonera stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Thursday, Oct. 5, 2017.

Brazil and Switzerland will take on Costa Rica and Serbia.

Germany and Mexico were in the same group as Sweden and South Korea.

Poland are in the hardest group to predict.

They will take on Colombia, Japan and Senegal with all four teams capable of winning the group.

​The draw for the group stage took place in the Kremlin Palace, just off Red Square in Moscow, on Friday, December 1.

President Vladimir Putin welcomed the footballing world to Russia, which is hosting its first World Cup between June 14 and July 15, 2018.

"Our country is looking forward to the championship and intends to hold it at the highest level. We have loved this sport a long time, with a strong affection that stretches across the country. I am sure that the forthcoming World Cup will be a huge factor in the development of the sport both in the Russian regions and throughout the whole world," said Mr. Putin.

The games will take place in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Volgograd, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Samara, Saransk, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg and Sochi.

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