ENGLAND has been drawn against Croatia, who eliminated the side from Euro 2008, in the draw for the 2010 World Cup, which was made in Durban, South Africa, on Sunday.

England's Wembley loss to the Croatians relegated the side to the second batch of European seeds and in an ironic twist they will meet again in a competitive group, which also includes Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Andorra.

World champion Italy has been paired with Bulgaria, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro.

"Bulgaria, Ireland, Georgia and Montenegro are nations that don't have a great football tradition but they are still difficult teams," said Italy coach Roberto Donadonin.

The winners from the nine European groups advance with the eight best runners-up going into playoff matches to decide the other four qualifiers for the finals in South Africa.

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic admitted that it was the draw that he did not want despite his side's superb 3-2 win last Wednesday.

"We are not afraid of anybody but England has a terrific team with brilliant players," he told Sky Sports News.

France is grouped with Austria, Faroe Islands, Lithuania, Romania and Serbia while Germany will face Russia, Wales, Finland, Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein.

Greece, the team that leapfrogged England to secure the final place among the top seeds, was rewarded with a place at the head of what looks like the weakest of the groups in the European zone.

The reigning European champion will face Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia and Luxembourg.

Sunday's draw also threw up some intriguing clashes in the Asian qualifiers with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea paired in group three.

Host South Africa will face Nigeria in the African zone of qualifying. South Africa is automatically through to the 2010 World Cup but must compete as the qualifiers count towards the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

The CONCACAF draw threw up a potential United States -- Cuba clash in the semifinals

The Americans have a first-round bye before they play the winner of an opening-round series between Barbados and Dominica. If they progress the Cubans could be waiting as they play the winner of the Aruba-Antigua and Barbuda opening series.

Cuba and the United States have not met in World Cup qualifying since 1949 in Mexico.

At a glittering draw ceremony, FIFA president Sepp Blatter and South African President Thabo Mbeki both said that preparations for the finals were well advanced.

"It's the kick-off, it's the window to South Africa," said Blatter at the start of the draw, which was attended by around 3,000 delegates as well as being watched massive global television audience.

"Now there's no doubt that the 2010 World Cup will be here, will be a big success," he added.

(SD-Agencies)