Ireland will be in Group D in the qualification campaign for World Cup 2018, avoiding some of the most feared opponents in a draw that could have been much worse for Martin O'Neill's side. 

The top seeds in Ireland's group were Wales, who have surged up the rankings thanks to their brilliant performances in the Euro 2016 qualifiers so far, while the other teams in the group include Austria and Georgia, who have both proven to be difficult opponents in the past. 

Austria and David Alaba in particular proved to be a real step up in class for Ireland the last time they met, and with plenty of young talent coming through the ranks for both Austria and Serbia, the task facing Martin O'Neill and his team is not an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. 

Ireland's group in full is:

Group D: Wales, Austria, Serbia, Ireland, Moldova, Georgia 

The full draw sees two main contenders for the title of "group of death", as Spain were drawn alongside Italy in Group G, and France will face Netherlands and Sweden in Group A. 

England will take on Scotland in Group F, which is also sure to be a fixture that will generate plenty of interest.