An interesting article on the official FIFA website calculates that England have been placed in the toughest World Cup group on two occasions since the inception of world rankings in 1993.
In 1998 Glenn Hoddle's side came through in second place, behind Romania and ahead of Colombia and Tunisia and four years later it was another runners-up qualification as England and Sweden progressed at the expense of Argentine and Nigeria.
There will be a strong English presence at this Friday's draw for Russia 2018
Gary Lineker, winner of the Golden Boot at Mexico '86 will be hosting at the Kremlin State Palace alongside representatives of the eight countries to have lifted the trophy and hosts Russia.
For England, that means Gordon Banks, their unflappable presence in goal on home soil in 1966.
Speaking to the official FIFA website, Banks had encouraging words for the present-day England side and no fears about who they may draw.
"Whoever you’re drawn against, be they seen as a difficult opponent or not, you still have to get a result.
"You have to play the best teams at some point, if you want to go all the way, so you just have to get on with it."
England will be in pot 2 for the draw and will face one of the pot 1 sides, who are as follows; Russia, Germany, Brazil, Portugal, Argentine, Belgium, Poland and France.