England captain David Beckham admitted he is relishing the chance to face his former Manchester United colleague Dwight Yorke after being drawn with Trinidad & Tobago at next summer's World Cup.
At the draw in Leipzig, England were drawn with the Caribbean side,Sven Goran Eriksson's native Sweden and South American qualifiers Paraguay.
And Real Madrid midfielder Beckham revealed it will be a nostalgic affair to face Yorke, who will be in Germany after the Caribbean nation qualified for their first World Cup.
He said: ''Watching the World Cup draw today has already excited me as I think about the tournament ahead. We meet a familiar opponent in Sweden - one that both the players and manager know well.
''I am looking forward to playing my old team-mate Dwight Yorke with Trinidad and Tobago. He is someone who I share many great memories with.
''Paraguay are a bit of an unknown quantity, but we will be prepared fully when we meet them. To use an old football cliche there are no easy games. We have to go out and prove we are one of the favourites.
''If we work hard and play to our potential we have a genuine chance of winning the World Cup.''
Trinidad goalkeeper Shaka Hislop was delighted to be drawn alongside England.
The former Newcastle keeper, who has played in England for 13 years and is now with West Ham, said: ''I am buzzing. I've spoken to nearly all the players over here and we are looking forward to it.
''We weren't too fussed about who we drew - we knew we were going to get hard games but it was the one we really wanted because there are so many players over here.
''Countries like us bring something to the World Cup.''
Hislop described West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara as ''our good luck charm,'' adding: ''We will try to smuggle him in somehow.''
Sweden coach Lars Lagerback admitted he had hoped to avoid drawing England for the second successive time.
''England have a very good team with a lot of players who do well in Europe in big clubs,'' he said.
''I must say that I'd have been more pleased with the draw if we could have avoided England.
''England is a better draw than Brazil and Argentina but it will be a hard game for us.''
Eriksson, meanwhile, has pleaded with England fans to stop their 'Ten German bombers' chant.
Football Association officials and high-ranking members of the official England supporters club have worked tirelessly to improve the reputation of English fans.
Their efforts have paid off handsomely, with violence at away games now virtually non-existent.
England supporters were among the best behaved both during the last World Cup and European Championships in Portugal, when many feared the combination of heat and alcohol could present a recipe for trouble.
Given the huge numbers who travel abroad to watch England, the lack of recent flashpoints is a remarkable achievement.
But Eriksson feels all the peacemaking efforts could be undone if supporters abuse their hosts by continuing to sing their anti-German anthem.
''It is hugely important that our fans continue the great work and great attitude they have shown in the last two major tournaments,'' said Eriksson.
''Undoubtedly, they were the best fans, both in Japan and Portugal, both in numbers, behaviour, atmosphere and colour and it is really important they build on that for Germany.
''They can be the best fans in the world. They have shown great improvement over the last few years.
''But the players and I would really like to see them stop chanting the particular song that refers to the 'Ten German bombers' because it is really disrespectful to the host nation.''
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article