Nigeria were on Friday drawn against World Cup favourites Argentina in Group D of next summer’s 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
At a colourful draws conducted at the Kremlin Palace in Moscow on Friday evening, Nigeria were also drawn to face European nations Croatia and Iceland for the first time in competitive fixtures.
This will be the fifth time Nigeria will be coming up against Argentina at the group stage of a FIFA World Cup finals and just like their last meeting in 2014, both teams will meet in the final group game.
Nigeria will open their campaign with a tie against Luka Modric’s Croatia before facing Iceland in their second group game.
Egypt, making a return to the finals for the first time in 28 years were drawn against the host nation Russia in Group A alongside Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, their first group opponents.
Another African team making a World Cup return, Morocco are locked in Group B with Iberian rivals Spain and Portugal. Herve Renard’s men will face Iran in their opening group game before taking on Portugal and then Spain in their last group game.
Tunisia were drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, England and Panama with their opening game coming against the Three Lions followed by Belgium and Panama.
2002 World Cup quarter finalists Senegal were drawn in Group H alongside Poland, Colombia and Japan. The Teranga Lions will face Poland in their opening group game before taking on Japan and then Colombia in their final group game.
FULL DRAWS:
GROUP A: Russia, Uruguay, Egypt, Saudi Arabia
GROUP B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco
GROUP C: France, Peru, Denmark, Australia
GROUP D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
GROUP E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
GROUP F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
GROUP G: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama
GROUP H: Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan
GROUP B: Portugal, Spain, Iran, Morocco
GROUP C: France, Peru, Denmark, Australia
GROUP D: Argentina, Croatia, Iceland, Nigeria
GROUP E: Brazil, Switzerland, Costa Rica, Serbia
GROUP F: Germany, Mexico, Sweden, South Korea
GROUP G: Belgium, England, Tunisia, Panama
GROUP H: Poland, Colombia, Senegal, Japan