England given tough World Cup group in Brazil draw

England's opening World Cup match against Italy has been brought forward by three hours.

The match had been scheduled for 02:00 BST on June 15, but it will now kick-off at 23:00 BST on the 14 June.

Fifa agreed to reschedule the clash following an appeal by British broadcasters over the late kick-off.

Watch: Hodgson still hopeful after tough World Cup Draw

Read: England given tough World Cup group in Brazil draw

For an hour the football mad country of Brazil came to a complete standstill. All eyes were on the draw to see who was playing who - and ex-pat England fans were nervous.

With six months to go it felt like the party had already started. But for fans travelling out from England, the logistics and costs may dampen the euphoria.

ITV's Brazil Correspondent Nick Ravenscroft reports:

Read: England given tough World Cup group in Brazil draw

FA chairman Greg Dyke has been seen jokingly making a throat-splitting gesture at the draw for the 2014 World Cup to suggest England face a "group of death" in Brazil.

A grinning-Dyke, filmed sitting alongside coach Roy Hodgson at the ceremony in Costa do Sauipe, was seen bemoaning the Group D draw.

The Three Lions have been pitted against four-time winners Italy, South American champions Uruguay and Costa Rica in one of the tournament's toughest groups.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw

England manager Roy Hodgson has stressed the positives after his team were drawn to face Italy in a tropical climate before tests against South American opponents Uruguay and Costa Rica at World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Speaking to ITV News Sports Editor Steve Scott, Hodgson accepted progressing from Group D was a tough task, but was glad that his preparations for the tournament would be unaffected.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw

Real Madrid star Gareth Bale and Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany have reacted to England's difficult Group D drawing with Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica.

Bale will sit out the tournament in Brazil after Wales failed to qualify, while Kompany will be part of the Belgium team hotly tipped to go far in the competition next summer.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw

Several players familiar to English fans for their star turns in the Premier League will be out to beat the Three Lions in Brazil next summer.

England face Italy on 15 June in Manaus and Uruguay on 19 June in Sao Paulo before the final Group D fixture against Costa Rica on 24 June in Belo Horizonte.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw

England will kick off their World Cup against Italy in Manaus on 14 June 2014 at 02:00 BST.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere has played down the threat of playing Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in the Group Stage of the 2014 World Cup.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw

England will face Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica in the Group Stage of the 2014 World Cup.

The Group D match-ups were confirmed at the official 2014 Draw in Costa do Sauipe, northeast Brazil, ahead of next summer's tournament.

Visit ITV's dedicated World Cup site for more on the draw