COSTA DO SAUIPE, Brazil (AP):

One of the worst finals in World Cup history, Spain vs the Netherlands, will be reprised in one of the first games at the 2014 edition.

But yesterday's draw proved kind, of sorts, for Brazil. The host nation should make short work of their Group A.

Brazil, however, could then bang up against the Spanish or the Dutch in the very first knock-out game. Should they lose, not unimaginable against such pedigree teams, the host nation's sorrow would surely suck some of the samba-loving sense of fun out of the tournament.

Three former winners, Italy, Uruguay and England,were tossed together in one daunting group, meaning at least one of them is bound to go home early.

The United States drew one of the shortest straws. Their game schedule will send Jurgen Klinsmann's team pinging around on a 9,000-mile (14,000-kilometre) trip around the world's fifth-largest country.

Manageable group

Having only squeezed into the tournament via the play-offs, 1998 winner France could hardly believe their luck, drawing a manageable group of Switzerland, Ecuador, and Honduras.

Argentina, champion in 1978 and 1986, first play Bosnia-Herzegovina, the only World Cup newcomer among the 32 teams. That will be the first of seven games at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, which also hosts the July 13 final. Argentina, a favourite to win with four-time world player of the year Lionel Messi, then play Iran and Nigeria, which they beat in all three previous World Cup encounters.

Argentina will be heavily favoured to come out top of its Group F. If so, it could find either Switzerland or France in their way in the first knock-out game. Those European nations will be hoping to avoid Argentina by topping their Group E.

In Group A, the home team Brazil also plays Mexico, who are competing in their sixth successive World Cup but, who had to beat New Zealand in a play-off to qualify for the 2014 tournament.

Brazil's last match is against Cameroon, who have only advanced once from the group stage in six appearances.

Belgium, one of seven seeded teams in the draw, will fancy their chances of advancing from Group H. Playing their first World Cup since 2002, containing some of Europe's most exciting young players, Belgium first take on Algeria, who have never moved beyond the group stage in three previous appearances.

Coach Marc Wilmots' team will also play 2018 World Cup host Russia and South Korea, a semi-finalist in 2002.