PUSAN, South Korea, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The United States avoided the traditional powerhouse soccer nations and enjoyed a fortunate draw for the 2002 World Cup Saturday night, finding itself placed in a group with co-host South Korea, Poland and Portugal.
China, meanwhile, was placed alongside Brazil in its first trip ever to the World Cup while England and Argentina were put in the same group.
The World Cup draw signals the start of the long buildup toward soccer's most significant event, which will be hosted next year by Japan and South Korea. In elaborate ceremonies televised around the world, the 32 qualifying nations were placed in eight groups for round-robin play that will begin May 31. The top two from each group advance to the round of 16 for knockout action.
Defending champion France, the No. 1 seed in Group A, will open the World Cup on May 31 in Seoul against Senegal. Uruguay and Denmark were also drawn into Group A.
Four-time champion Brazil will start its quest for another title on June 3 in Ulsan, South Korea against Turkey. China and Costa Rica will join Brazil in Group C. Brazil is the only country to have played in every World Cup and it struggled throughout qualifying before finishing fourth in the South American tournament.
But Brazil was drawn into what should be one of the easiest groups.
The United States was one of the last teams to learn where it would be placed in the draw and as the proceedings neared an end, the possibility existed that the Americans would land in Group F, where Argentina, England and Sweden awaited.
But when the United States was drawn, it wound up in Group D. Included in that group is South Korea, which is ranked 43rd in the world. The Americans are currently ranked No. 13. Although Poland and Portugal will be difficult opponents for the United States, with Portugal among the potential winners of the title. But they they do not carry the intimidation factor of Italy, Spain, England, Germany, France or Brazil.
The first American game will be played on June 5 at Suwon, South Korea against Portugal. The United States will take on South Korea at Daegu on June 10 and then face Poland on the final day of round-robin action, June 14, at Daejeon.
"South Korea is a much improved team and certainly playing at home will be a big advantage and will make them that much more of a difficult opponent," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said.
Portugal is one of the top squads from Europe, led by 2000 European Footballer of the Year and Real Madrid midfielder Luis Figo, who is a finalist for the 2001 FIFA World Player of the Year award to be announced Dec. 17.
"Portugal is one of the best teams in the world and they have one of the best players in the world in Luis Figo," Arena said. "They are dangerous all over the field. And Poland showed in their qualifying run how dangerous they can be."
The United States is scheduled to meet South Korea twice before the World Cup in preparation matches, including a Dec. 9 contest in Seogwipo.
The Americans have a 5-10-3 all-time record against their group opponents. Poland has been the most common European opponent for the United States over the years, but the countries have not met since Oct. 10, 1990, when the U.S. won 3-2 in Warsaw. Poland does hold the all-time lead at 6-4-1.
Japan, co-hosting the World Cup, was placed in Group H with Belgium, Russia and Tunisia. Germany and Ireland were placed together in Group E and will be heavily favored to make it through to the second round with Saudi Arabia and Cameroon serving as opposition.
Spain and Paraguay will be favored in Group B, which also includes Slovenia and South Africa. Italy should have relatively smooth sailing in Group G, where it will face Ecuador, Croatia and Mexico.
England and Argentina will have stern opposition from Sweden and Nigeria in, on paper, the most difficult group in the World Cup. In addition, the team that finishes second in that group will likely have to face France in the round of 16.
Argentina won the last meeting with England in the round of 16 at the 1998 World Cup in France on penalty kicks. And that came after England midfielder David Beckham was sent off midway through the first half for kicking Diego Simone in retaliation for a foul.
The Argentines also triumphed in a controversial quarterfinal in 1986, when Diego Maradona scored his famous "Hand of God" goal. Maradona also scored a sensational goal with a superb solo run from his half of the field and Argentina went on to win the tournament.
France will hold the distinction as the last winner to receive an automatic berth into the following World Cup. Meeting in this Korean resort city Friday, the FIFA executive committee voted to end the title holder's mandatory spot in the next tournament.
The United States hopes to avoid its disappointment of four years ago. In France, the American team failed to earn a point in group play, losing to Germany, Iran and Yugoslavia.
