World Cup: Which is the ‘Group of Death’ at Russia 2018?

Gareth Southgate’s men will face Belgium – a tough challenge given the wealth of Premier League talent available to Roberto Martinez – but also the lesser-ranked sides of Tunisia and Panama.

Usually in every major football tournament, there is a so-called 'Group of Death', with at least three top teams and no easy matches, meaning there will be one powerful side that misses out on the knockout rounds.

So if England are not in the Group of Death, who is? Or is there one at all?

Here is the draw in full so you can make your own mind up.

Well, the short answer is that – surprisingly – there doesn't seem to be one. There are several groups with two excellent sides in them, notably Portugal and Spain in Group B, Argentina and Croatia in Group D and Belgium and England in Group G. But all of those teams should, in theory at least, qualify for the knockout stages.

However, the remaining teams in those three groups are not top-tier sides. Iran, Morocco, Nigeria, Iceland, Tunisia and Panama should not instil too much fear within the more powerful footballing nations.

Going on ranking alone the best-ranked 'third team' in these groups is Iceland, who sit 22nd after topping their group in qualifying ahead of Croatia. However, they lost to Luka Modric and Co as well as Finland in what was a weak group.

They will definitely be incredibly tough to beat, and have improved even since dramatically ending England's hopes at Euro 2016. But calling Group D a 'Group of Death' would be a stretch on the basis of their recent form. Croatia will have bad memories of their away defeat in qualifying – they lost 1-0 in Reykjavik – but should have enough quality to reverse that result at a neutral venue in Russia.

Is there a Group of Death? If so, which one is it?