RoaD To SouTH aFRiCa...

England have been drawn with the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in Group C for next summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Fabio Capello's side meet the US in their first game of the tournament at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday June 12.

England then meet Algeria in Cape Town on June 18 before concluding their group games with a clash with Slovenia five days later in Port Elizabeth.

But beyond the group stage, the path may not be so clear for England and should they progress, they will meet a team from a tough-looking Group D which contains Germany, Australia, Serbia and Ghana.

England soccer player David Beckham (L) and South African actress Charlize Theron (C) watch as FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke holds up a slip of paper carrying the name England during the 2010 World Cup draw

In the other half of the draw, Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea were drawn together in what will inevitably be termed the Group of Death.

France, the 1998 champions and 2006 runners-up, were drawn in the same group as hosts South Africa.

South Africa will meet Mexico in the opening match at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg on June 11 in the 32-nation tournament which finishes with the final on July 11 in the same stadium. Former World Cup winners Uruguay are the fourth member of Group A.

Holders Italy, who beat France in the final four years ago in Germany, have a more comfortable looking ride in Group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia.

Groups C, D, G and H are shown on the big screen during the World Cup 2010 draw at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) in Cape Town

Second-favourites Spain should not have any trouble squeezing past Switzerland, Honduras and Chile, while Argentina, who struggled so badly to qualify under the control of Diego Maradona, are likely to be too good for Nigeria, South Korea and Greece.

Along with Nigeria, Samuel Eto'o's Cameroon are the African side who look to have the best chance of progressing, although they will still have to overcome Holland, Denmark and Japan to reach round two.

The draw for the 32-nation tournament was made at the end of a 90-minute global television spectacular broadcast to more than 250 million people in a ceremony hosted by FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke and South African actress Charlize Theron.

The ceremony included a televised address to the world from former South African president Nelson Mandela.

The country's current president Jacob Zuma appeared on stage to make the bold prediction that the trophy would stay in Africa after the continent staged the tournament for the first time.

FULL DRAW:

GROUP A

1. South Africa 2. Mexico 3. Uruguay 4. France

GROUP B

1. Argentina 2. Nigeria 3. South Korea 4. Greece

GROUP C

1. England 2. United States 3. Algeria 4. Slovenia

GROUP D

1. Germany 2. Australia 3. Serbia 4. Ghana

GROUP E

1. Netherlands 2. Denmark 3. Japan 4. Cameroon

GROUP F

1. Italy 2. Paraguay 3. New Zealand 4. Slovakia

GROUP G

1. Brazil 2. North Korea 3. Ivory Coast 4. Portugal

GROUP H

1. Spain 2. Switzerland 3. Honduras 4. Chile

-aRJuNa-