England face favourites Argentina

Pele picks out the ball containing England's name

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England will face old World Cup adversaries and favourites Argentina after the draw for the 2002 tournament was made in South Korea.

Coach Sven-Goran Eriksson must also end a 33-year winless sequence against fellow countrymen Sweden after they were drawn together at the ceremony in Busan.

The Republic of Ireland's reward for qualification will be a confrontation with Germany, who also qualified via the play-offs.

England will open their campaign against Sweden in Saitama in Japan on 2 June, with the game against Argentina in Sapporo on 7 June.

Performers waved the flags of the 32 teams

Eriksson's side were given the toughest draw of all, with the gifted Africans Nigeria also in the so-called "Group of Death" - Group F.

The summer showpiece will open in Seoul on 31 May, when the holders France face Senegal in Seoul.

But the big talking point to emerge was the latest World Cup confrontation between England and pre-tournament favourites Argentina.

The Argentines beat England in the quarter-finals in Mexico in 1986 - but most recent memories will be evoked by their controversial meeting in France four years ago.

Argentina won on penalties, but England's David Beckham was sent off after a clash with Diego Simeone.

  2002 World Cup

First game
France v Senegal,
31 May, Seoul

England's opener
v Sweden,
2 June, Saitama

Rep of Ireland's opener
v Cameroon,
1 June, Niigata

Final
30 June, Yokohama

France will play Uruguay and Denmark after they face Senegal.

Mick McCarthy's Republic side will also be based in Japan, but will harbour genuine hopes of progress with games against Saudi Arabia and Cameroon, as well as Rudi Voeller's Germany.

The co-hosts were both handed tough draws, but will hope the support of crowds in their home country will prove crucial.

South Korea were drawn with Poland, USA and Portugal in Group D, while Japan have games against Belgium, Russia and Tunisia in Group H.

Brazil had a a troubled qualification and only reached Korea and Japan with a win against Venezuela in their last game, but they will be confident after the draw.

Felipe Scolari's side will play Turkey, China and Costa Rica.

Group B will be fought out between Spain, Slovenia, Paraguay and South Africa.

Euro 2000 runners-up Italy also have hopes of reclaiming the crown they won in 1982, and they will be favourites to go through from a group containing Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico.