Brazil pitted against Italy and France in World Cup draw rehearsal

Brazil were pitted against fellow heavyweights Italy and France in the rehearsal for Friday's draw for the 2014 World Cup.

Australia were the other team landed in a veritable 'Group of Death' containing three nations with 10 titles between them, with the Selecao having triumphed a record five times, the Azzurri on four occasions andLes Bleus once.

Defending champions Spain were also handed a tricky pool in the mock draw, having been
bracketed with England, Ivory Coast and South Korea.

Lionel Messi's Argentina went into Group C alongside Ghana, Costa Rica and Russia, while Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal were thrown into Group G with Germany, Ecuador and Iran.

Elsewhere, Uruguay, who finished fourth at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, featured in an intriguing pool alongside Nigeria, USA and Croatia.

Netherlands had 'dark horses' Colombia for company in Group F, as well as Cameroon and Honduras, while Belgium drew Algeria, Mexico and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Switzerland, whose status as a top seed has provoked much debate, were paired with Chile, Japan and Greece.