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          The world reacts to England's 2018 World Cup group stage draw

          • ESPN staffDec 1, 2017, 12:56 PM

          England have learned their opponents for the World Cup next year in Russia with their group stage campaign starting on June 18 against Tunisia.

          Gareth Southgate's side then take on Panama six days later before wrapping up the group proceedings against Belgium on June 28.

          England manager Southgate urged everyone not to take Tunisia and Panama lightly despite their lesser status in international football.

          "We've been good at writing teams off and then getting beaten by them haven't we," he told the BBC. "We don't want to write anybody off.

          "The objective is to qualify from the group and you don't know how many points you need for that."

          The former Middlesbrough defender also played in England's last meeting with Tunisia back in the 1998 World Cup when England won 2-0.

          "It was a fantastic game as a player and an incredible atmosphere our fans made that day," Southgate said, who also branded Belgium as "an outstanding team."

          But, what did the rest of the world have to say about England's three opponents and potential route to the World Cup final?

          Former England winger Chris Waddle had a lot to say, not only on fan safety but also on England's chances.

          "I expect England to be first, and if not, then they will be second," he told the BBC. "Belgium do have a lot of great players, this is their tournament but they will be under a lot of pressure as well.

          "As far as Panama and Tunisia, they have good qualities but they are very beatable, let's be honest.

          "If I were a fan I wouldn't go to Russia -- if you can get to the grounds without going through other areas then fine. But there's a minority that like to cause trouble. As a fan you're looking at safety and I wouldn't go."

          Spurs striker and former Spurs fullback Kyle Walker were both quick to reveal their excitement at facing Belgium via social media.

          Former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer is optimistic that Southgate's experience playing in big tournaments will help England's chances.

          "The big plus Gareth has is that he's played in tournaments," he told the BBC. "He knows what to expect, he's been there, he knows what's right, what's wrong, what a player needs. It's a big advantage.

          "He'll be confident about this group. The homework starts now. We can't look at qualifying games as England again go in unbeaten. He's given some youngsters a chance.

          "The expectation is no longer there now from the past couple of tournaments. I don't expect us to go to Russia and win but I expect us to improve on the last tournament when we lost to Iceland. That's what the country are looking for. It shouldn't be difficult."

          Joey Barton also had his say on England's group.

          "You want to have a bit of swagger coming out of the group stages," Barton told talksport. "You want to go into the knockout stages feeling confident, feeling like you can beat whoever it is that is put in front of you.

          "Belgium think that it is their golden generation. They qualified with aplomb. You have to respect that."

          Former England striker Peter Crouch was quick to highlight Gordon Banks' Stoke City tie before branding the draw "decent".

          Roberton Martinez, who will be preparing Belgium to beat England on June 28, believes their group is "very challenging".

          "I have lived almost 21 years in England and in the English game so it's a very special draw," Martinez told the BBC. "But it's the World Cup, and it's a very challenging group as far as the travel, but we are looking forward to it.

          "It's fair to say that we have a really competitive group. The players are in a really good point in their careers, and we have lots of good players who are well known to the British public.

          "They are coming together and we are looking forward to the preparation that starts now before the World Cup."

          It looks as it some of Martinez's players would prefer to do their talking on the pitch...

          Vincent Kompany didn't seem as excited as Kane and Walker about playing eachother.

          And it wasn't just football-related people reacting to the draw, either.