FIFA World Cup: Group H reaction

Poland will fancy their chances to get out of this group having tasted previous World Cup success coming third in 1974 and 1982. With a talented squad they will push for top spot.

Japan qualified for their first World Cup in 1998 and have qualified for every World Cup since, their best finish has been round of 16 in 2002 and 2010, they will look to reverse a 4-1 loss to Colombia in Brazil.

Colombia and Poland have never met in a World Cup, they have only ever played each other once in a friendly which ended 2-1 to Colombia in 2006.

Any of these teams could play England in the next round if they qualify.

Vahid Halihodzic, Japan coach: “There was the possibility of finding ourselves in a more difficult group.

“H is for Halilhodzic.

“It’s a group where all the teams have their own strengths.

“The Colombia game will be key. Purely by coincidence I watched a video of them a few days ago.

“For Japan it will be chance to get revenge for the last World Cup.

“I know Senegal well.

“It will be important how we cope with players who are almost two metres tall.

“Poland have one of the best strikers in the world in (Robert) Lewandowski so we have seven months to determine our goals and to prepare in earnest to achieve them. I want the players to be ready for Russia.

“We’ve drawn some great teams but I hope we’re prepared well enough to compete.

“Obviously, the first game with Colombia will be important but we have to be proud of our performance on the world stage.”