England have been included in Pot 1 for Friday's World Cup group stage draw, placing them among the elite teams for this winter's tournament in Qatar.
The Three Lions' status as one of the top seeds means that they cannot be drawn against any of the other teams in Pot 1, which includes the seven highest-ranked qualified teams from the latest FIFA rankings, plus hosts Qatar.
However, there are still plenty of big names further down the rankings in Pots 2, 3 and 4 who could stand in the way of England and their first major trophy since 1966.
Here, Sports Mole looks at the best and worst-case scenarios for Gareth Southgate's side in Friday's draw.
BEST-CASE SCENARIO
© Reuters
GROUP: England, USA, Tunisia, New Zealand
England could be given what, on paper at least, would be a very kind draw against USA, Tunisia and New Zealand - the latter of whom are not yet confirmed a place in Qatar.
USA are ranked 15th in the world as things stand and, while according to the rankings Croatia would be an even kinder draw, most England's fans would rather come up against the team from across the pond rather than the team that knocked them out in the 2018 semi-finals.
In the end, USA needed goal difference to finish above Costa Rica and automatically qualify for the World Cup, finishing behind Canada and Mexico in the CONCACAF section.
Tunisia, meanwhile, only just edged past Mali to book their place at a second successive World Cup, and at 35th in the world they are the lowest-ranked nation in Pot 3.
England were drawn in the same group as Tunisia four years ago in Russia, when they needed a stoppage-time winner from Harry Kane to edge a 2-1 victory.
UEFA are the only confederation that can have more than one team in any World Cup group, meaning that should England be drawn against USA and Tunisia then they would be unable to have another CONCACAF or CAF nation in their group.
Regardless, New Zealand - ranked 101st in the world - would be their top choice from Pot 4, although as the winners of the OFC section the All Whites must still overcome Costa Rica in a June playoff to confirm their place in Qatar.
Should they fail to pull off a shock in that match then the next best draw for England could be the United Arab Emirates, although they too must still first beat Australia and then Peru to qualify.
WORST-CASE SCENARIO
© Reuters
GROUP: England, Germany, Senegal, Ecuador
There are some big names in Pot 2, and none more so than England's old rivals Germany - against whom they have endured so much heartbreak at major competitions in the past.
The Three Lions' victory over Die Mannschaft en route to the Euro 2020 final may have helped put some of those demons to bed, but not many England fans will be keeping their fingers crossed for a renewal of hostilities in the group stage in Qatar.
Even if they avoid four-time winners Germany then there are still some heavy hitters potentially lying in wait, including Netherlands, Uruguay and Denmark, while according to FIFA, Mexico are the highest-ranked team in Pot 2.
There can be a maximum of two UEFA teams in any group, so should a European nation from Pot 2 be drawn alongside England then that will at least eliminate the possibility of a tricky showdown against Poland from Pot 3.
However, African champions Senegal would also provide a stubborn test, while Iran and Japan both impressed during qualifying and could potentially prove tougher opponents than their past pedigree might suggest.
Ecuador would be the ones to avoid for most in Pot 4, having qualified with a game to spare in the competitive South America section, ahead of the likes of Peru, Colombia and Chile.
Should a UEFA team still be eligible by Pot 4 then there is also the possibility of a British battle, although Scotland or Wales do still have work to do to confirm their place in Qatar.
FIFA WORLD CUP SEEDINGS IN FULL
Pot 1: Qatar, Belgium, Brazil, France, Argentina, England, Spain, Portugal
Pot 2: Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, Mexico, USA, Switzerland, Croatia, Uruguay
Pot 3: Senegal, Iran, Japan, Morocco, Serbia, Poland, South Korea, Tunisia
Pot 4: Saudi Arabia, Ecuador, Ghana, Cameroon, Canada, Peru or Australia/UAE, New Zealand/Costa Rica, Wales or Scotland/Ukraine
> Click here for everything you need to know about Friday's World Cup group stage draw
England
Iran
USA
Wales
