Nations react to World Cup groups: ‘This draw will capture the imagination back home’
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Updated 01/12/2017 at 19:51 GMT
Friday’s draw in Moscow means we now know which countries make up the World Cup groups, when the fixtures will be and which stadiums will host which teams.
Hervé Renard Maroc
Image credit: Eurosport
Some national teams are pleased with their lot. Others not so much.
Here, group by group, is how they responded to the draw…
Group A
Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov said: "I cannot say if I am happy or not after the draw. The group is what it is. My emotions ahead and after the draw are the same. I smiled when we got Uruguay because they asked to have a friendly match against us and we did not agree. They were chasing us and finally got us."
And former Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, who was involved in the draw in Moscow, added: "I watched Russia at the Confederations Cup and I can say they are a good team, they have good players and they are the hosting nation, so it is going to be tough playing against them.
Players from the Egyptian national team were quick to react on social media, with Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny writing: "Get ready for the Pharaohs. We are not just 11 players, we are 100 million."
Players from the Egyptian national team were quick to react on social media, with Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny writing: "Get ready for the Pharaohs. We are not just 11 players, we are 100 million."
And goalkeeper Essam El-Hadary picked up on the prospect of a group stage clash with fellow Arab nation Saudi Arabia: "Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Uruguay… welcome Saudi Arabia, it's the first time to be there in the World Cup together and in the same group.
Together we could make history for the Arabs.
Group B
Morocco coach Herve Renard said: "Everyone wanted to avoid Spain in Pot 2. We inherited it. Thanks for that. We have to face these two ogres (Spain and Portugal) and do everything to qualify for the last 16, even if it seems very difficult."
Spain manager Julen Lopetegui was keen to point out that he'd done his research: "Portugal are a great team, the current European champions and with a host of top-level footballers. The majority of Morocco's players are playing in Europe and they knocked the Ivory Coast out and haven't lost any games.
"Iran didn't concede a single goal in qualifying and have a coach (Carlos Queiroz) who has been there a long time."
Portugal coach Fernando Santos added: "It's a very deceptive and treacherous group. Portugal have to accept that we are one of the favourites but if you look in a bit more detail, you can see it's very difficult. Spain are naturally favourites, as I've always said."
Meanwhile, Iran coach Queiroz is looking forward to a World Cup reunion with two countries he knows plenty about: "Personally, I'm happy because Spain and Portugal are two very special teams for me. For Iran, it's going to be really tough... the most important thing is to play with ambition and leave the World Cup honourably."
Group C
Denmark defender Peter Ankersen responded confidently to the draw. saying: "France are really strong but I saw their games against Sweden. There are places where you can hurt France. The other two teams, Australia and Peru, I'm not too familiar with them, but immediately I think it's a good enough draw."
Peru coach Ricardo Gareca: "I like the group.
I think it's an interesting group with very good teams... and all teams who try to play and I think that can fit in well with our characteristics. I think it suits us.
France coach Didier Deschamps said: "It could have been worse," with Noel Le Graet, president of the French Football Federation, adding: "We have to work hard and not judge anybody. You can't go into a World Cup and think this and that opponent is easy, that would be a great mistake."
Group D
Former Argentina captain and coach Diego Maradona was in typically bullish mood, saying: "It's not a bad group at all. Argentina have to improve... we can't play as badly as we have been doing."
But the current Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli said: "Croatia has an excellent midfield, Nigeria is unpredictable and has some very fast players, and Iceland comes in with little pressure."
Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson spoke of the difficulties that await his side in Russia: "This is an incredibly difficult group... This will be an experience, but really difficult.
Argentina have one of the strongest squads in football... the Nigerian players are great athletes, physically strong and it's difficult to cope with them.
And Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic was staying philosophical about the draw: "It could have been better but it could also have been worse. I think we can navigate our way into the knockout stages but it's going to be tough... (Argentina) are the favourites of course, but we won't roll over."
Nigeria striker Odion Ighalo opted to focus on the positives of the draw, saying that the group gives his team a change of progressing: "I am happy that we are not going to play Brazil and Germany in the first round. With this draw, we have a good chance of qualifying from the group. It's a tough group and we have to work really hard."
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Nigeria's forward Odion Ighalo drinks champagne as he celebrates after the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying football match between Nigeria and Zambia in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on October 7, 2017.
Image credit: Getty Images
Group E
Brazil coach Tite reacted straight after the draw, saying: "More than evaluating the group, what I always have in mind is the evolution and consolidation of the team. These are top class adversaries and that's why they are here."
But the confidence of the nation was summed up my accurately by former Brazil striker Walter Casagrande, who said: "It's a good group to start with. It's a group to prepare for the second phase in."
Switzerland coach Vladimir Petkovic is wary of underestimating Costa Rica and Serbia in the face of such a stellar top seed in the group: "Brazil are not the only opponents in the group, the others are also difficult.
"We must be prepared for Costa Rica, they are awkward opponents. Serbia have always had good individuals and this time they have formed a good group."
And Serbia FA vice president Savo Milosevic said: "It's always good to have one entertaining opponent in your group and Brazil are one, without question. The other two rivals, Costa Rica and Switzerland, are ones we can hold our own against and I am confident we can go through..if we play our best football."
Group F
Germany coach Joachim Loew was in typically magnanimous form: "This is a very interesting group of opponents.
What we want to do in the group stage is set a foundation for the successful title defence. This is our goal.
And Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer added: "Mexico play aggressive football, we can cope well with Sweden and we know what to expect given they eliminated Italy. South Korea are a strong team."
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Joachim Löw
Image credit: Eurosport
Sweden coach Jan Andersson said: "Clearly Germany are the favourites, they are very good and a great footballing nation. I'm not that up on Mexico and South Korea, but it'll be about studying from now on."
Group G
Belgium coach Roberto Martinez spoke to the BBC straight after the draw, saying: "It is a challenging group, I think it is the most demanding group in terms of travelling.
"They say football is a way of living and I lived in England for almost 21 years. It's fair to say that we've got a really competitive group. 25 Belgian players are now in the British game, we are very well-known names for the British public.
"They are great ambassadors for Belgian football so we're looking forward to the preparation before we start the World Cup."
And for England manager Gareth Southgate next summer's tournament will be a case of deja vu: "To have played in a World Cup for my country was an incredible honour. To lead them there as a manager is beyond that.
"Remembering the Tunisia game in 1998, it was the first thing that went through my mind. It was a fantastic day and it's nice to be able to relive that...
"We know everything about Belgium. I think that will capture the imagination back home as they have so many players in our league. They have probably the best group of players they’ve ever had.
"We haven't done much research on the African teams yet.
We've been good at writing off teams and then getting beaten.
We've got to make sure that we are prepared for all of those games."
Group H
Poland forward Robert Lewandowski reacted to the draw on Twitter, messaging his club colleague James Rodriguez to say: "Hello my brother. I remember your great goals during the last World Cup. I hope you will remember mine from Russia."
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman reflected on the draw, saying: "We were worried about getting one of the big names, I wanted a balanced group and I think we've got that. When you get to a World Cup the past is not important, memories are just those, every team starts from scratch... The most exciting thing is Colombia are here."
And former Senegal goalkeeper Tony Sylva said: "We have a decent group but we must be cautious... Nothing will be easy, but it is a group in which we have a chance and so now we must begin our work."
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