Former manager Kerr pitted against Republic of Ireland

Tonight's draw for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers has pitted the Republic of Ireland against former manager Brian Kerr.

Kerr's Faroe Islands have been drawn in Group C against the Boys in Green as well as World Cup specialists Germany and Scandinavian giants Sweden, while Austria and Kazakhstan make up the rest of the group.

Scotland and Wales will have to play each other in Group A with some strong-looking opponents – three from the Balkans – in Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia.

Northern Ireland have some long-distance trips in Group F with Portugal, Russia, Israel, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

England avoided Europe’s big-hitters in the qualifying draw which saw them in Group H against Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino.

The winners of the nine groups qualify automatically and the eight best runners-up play off for the four places remaining.

All the home nations did avoid the toughest draw, Group I where Spain, France, Belarus, Georgia and Finland will battle it out.

FIFA president Sepp Blatter had launched the draw insisting the world governing body had confidence that Brazil would overcome delays in preparations.

Blatter said: “We need the support of the government of Brazil, the state governments, the organising committee and the 190million fans of football that is the population of Brazil.

“It is a matter of trust and confidence and FIFA have trust in Brazil and are confident of its abilities.

“Football is the beating heart of Brazil. It is a multi-cultural country of joy and celebration blessed with natural beauty and a booming economy ranking number seven in the world.”

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP A: Wales, FYR Macedonia, Scotland, Belgium, Serbia, Croatia.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP B: Malta, Armenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP C: Kazakhstan, Faroe Islands, Austria, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Germany.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP D: Andorra, Estonia, Romania, Hungary, Turkey, Netherlands.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP E: Iceland, Cyprus, Albania, Switzerland, Slovenia, Norway.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP F: Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Northern Ireland, Israel, Russia, Portugal.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP G: Liechtenstein, Latvia, Lithuania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Slovakia, Greece.

WORLD CUP 2014 QUALIFIER GROUP H: San Marino, Moldova, Poland, Ukraine, Montenegro, England.