Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal will come up against Spain in the standout fixture of the 2018 World Cup group stage, and Lionel Messi's quest to deliver World Cup glory for Argentina could pit the two-time champions against a handful of familiar faces in a potential quarterfinal showdown with Spain.
But neither 2010 World Cup winners Spain, who finished above Italy in qualifying, nor Argentina, indebted to a Messi hat-trick in the thin air of Quito as they scraped through the South American section, will have it easy in the group stage in Russia.
Meanwhile, reigning world champions Germany, the much-fancied Brazil of Neymar, and France will all be pleased with their draws, but the prospects appear tougher for Argentina.They will come up against Croatia, Nigeria and tournament debutants Iceland as Messi looks to make up for losing the 2014 final to Germany.
The Barcelona man turns 31 during the tournament, meaning this is also probably his last chance to win the World Cup.
Germany were paired with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea in Group F as Joachim Loew's men try to become the first nation to retain the title since Brazil in 1962.
Here, we take a look at all the groups
Group A:
Russia, a lowly 65th in Fifa's rankings, will be reasonably confident of making progress to the last 16 after being drawn against Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Uruguay.
The hosts will face the Saudis, ranked 63rd, in the tournament's opening match where a win will be essential.Uruguay will be favourites to top the section with Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani forming a fearsome attack though Egypt, back at the finals for the first time since 1990, boast Liverpool's prolific forward Mohamed Salah.
Group B:
European champions Portugal and Spain meet in Sochi to kick off the group and though that is not the start either wanted, both should progress, with Morocco, qualifiers for the first time since 1998, and Iran, managed by Carlos Queiroz, also involved.
Group C:
Perhaps not a group of death, but 1998 champions France will have to be on their toes to avoid an early flight home with 10th-ranked Peru, a dangerous Denmark and Australia keeping them company.
With Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud in attack and Paul Pogba powering the midfield Les Bleus should win the group with the others scrapping for second. Peru have qualified for the first time in 36 years.
Group D:
Messi will be key as Argentina navigate a group with Croatia, Iceland and Nigeria.Iceland, sensations at Euro 2016 where they knocked out England to reach the quarterfinals, are the smallest nation by population yet to qualify, but cannot be taken lightly.
Croatia boast talents such as Real Madrid's Luka Modric and Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic.
Group E:
Five-times champions Brazil will be favourites to win the group, leaving Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia in a battle to join them in the knockouts.
Costa Rica showed they can upset at the 2014 tournament when they won a group with England, Italy and Uruguay, while Serbia eased through a testing qualifying campaign.
Group F:
Germany are unlikely to fear a group with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea. Sweden will be buoyed after knocking out Italy in the playoffs, showing the defensive mettle that can bring success.
Mexico are World Cup stalwarts who have reached the last 16 in the previous six editions.Group G:
Belgium are the highest-ranked team in the group with England, Tunisia and Panama.
Roberto Martinez's side, however, have not beaten England in their last 11 meetings and only once in history.
England, who failed to get out of their group in 2014, will have fond memories of beating Tunisia in the 1998 tournament, when manager Gareth Southgate played centreback.
Group H:
Poland, spearheaded by Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski and ranked seventh in the world, will fancy their chances against Senegal, Colombia and Japan. S
enegal, with Liverpool's Sadio Mane in attack, will believe they can reach the knockouts. Colombia boast 2014 Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez...