England will have to take on the world's best to reach the knockout stages of the 2015 Cerebral Palsy World Championships, to be held at St. George's Park this summer.
In the draw held at the National Football Centre held on Wednesday, Keith Webb's side drew traditional powerhouses Ukraine and Iran, and will face Japan in their opening game on 16 June.
England must finish in the top two of Group A if they are to progress to the quarter-finals - an achievement which has the added advantage of securing qualification for the 2016 Paralympics Games in Rio de Janeiro.
The draw was made by Team GB and England Blind football legend Dave Clarke, St. George's Park chairman David Sheepshanks, FA director Kelly Simmons, and celebrated former Chelsea, Middlesbrough and Leeds United forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, now manager of Burton Albion, who train at the National Football Centre.
Sheepshanks shared his excitement at the prospect of the world’s best CP teams doing battle at the National Football Centre.
“This is the biggest ever disability football event in this country and we can’t wait," he said.
“It’s a historic achievement for St. George’s Park and disability football in general.”
“I promise we will give this tournament absolutely the prestige and the profile it deserves.”
Group A
Ukraine, Iran, England Japan
Group B
Russia, Republic of Ireland, Australia, Portugal
Group C
Brazil, Scotland, USA, Venezuela
Group D
Netherlands, Argentina, Canada, Northern Ireland
