Preliminary Draw for the 2018 World Cup: Breaking down the UEFA groups

The 2018 World Cup qualifying draw was held Saturday in St. Petersburg, with FIFA's secretary general Jerome Valcke illuminating the path each nation will need to traverse in order to qualify for the tournament in Russia.

As is often the case, much of the focus was on the UEFA portion of the draw, which did not disappoint in dropping some mouthwatering matchups throughout its nine qualifying groups.

Only the winner of each group will automatically qualify for the 2018 World Cup, with the eight best second-place teams entering a playoff - which consists of a two-legged tie to determine who wins the final four tournament spots allocated to Europe.

Could we get another clash of the titans like we did in the European playoff for the 2014 World Cup, when Cristiano Ronaldo outdueled Zlatan Ibrahimovic to lead Portugal over Sweden? Perhaps. But before that, we have some more pressing business to attend to.

Here's a quick breakdown of the nine groups following Saturday's draw at the luxurious Konstantin Palace.

Group A: Netherlands, France to clash in World Cup qualifying for 1st time since 1981

Netherlands, France, Sweden, Bulgaria, Belarus, Luxembourg

In what is undoubtedly among the most intriguing pairings, European giants Netherlands and France - who have reached the final of the World Cup a combined five times - will compete in a group that also features the likes of second-tier national teams Sweden and Bulgaria.

Surprisingly, for two sides that have a tendency to progress to the latter stages of competitions, Netherlands and France haven't crossed paths all that often and only met in World Cup qualifying in 1982.

Of course, Sweden, fueled by Ibrahimovic's exploits, can't be ruled out, particularly given the Netherlands' struggles in Euro 2016 qualifying. However, it would come as a surprise if the Oranje and France don't occupy the top two spots when all is said and done.

Group B: Portugal, Switzerland luck out with favourable draw

Portugal, Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, Andorra

Portugal and Switzerland will like their chances of returning to the World Cup after being drawn alongside Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia, and Andorra.

The two teams have faced off in World Cup qualifying on seven previous occasions, with Portugal winning three of those matches and Switzerland winning two, while the other pair of games ended in a draw. More recently, however, Switzerland defeated Portugal 2-0 at Euro 2008.

Group C: Reigning champion Germany should breeze through qualifying

Germany, Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, Norway, Azerbaijan, San Marino

Germany is surely grinning after Saturday's draw.

The reigning champion will begin its road to defending its title defense in a relatively weak group. While Germany has struggled in Euro 2016 qualifying as well as friendlies since winning last year's World Cup, Die Mannschaft can have no complaints over a group in which Czech Republic will provide its toughest test.

Group D: Wales handed realistic shot of reaching 2nd-ever World Cup

Wales, Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova, Georgia

All the ingredients are there for Wales to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958 - and for only the second time in its history.

Having recently cracked the top 10 in the FIFA World Ranking as a result of its phenomenal Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, a Gareth Bale-led Wales is riding high on confidence and will fancy its odds of reaching the Promised Land in a group that involves Austria, Serbia, and the Republic of Ireland.

Group E: Romania pitted against numerous Eastern European sides

Romania, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, Armenia, Kazakhstan

In a group that features many teams located east of the Berlin Wall, Romania should be able to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1998, when Gheorghe Hagi captained a side managed by Anghel Iordanescu.

Of course, Denmark, Poland, Montenegro, and an Armenia side that is only improving will provide Romania with a tough path. Upon glancing at some of the other groups, however, there will be little protesting from the Tricolorii.

Group F: England, Scotland to renew eternal rivalry

England, Slovakia, Scotland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Malta

Well, well, well. Look who got drawn together.

In a rivalry that holds 143 years of history and features the two teams that participated in the oldest international fixture, England and Scotland will battle it out in a group that Roy Hodgon's side will be favoured to top, particularly given their recent meetings.

While Slovakia and Slovenia will look to cause problems for England, all signs point to the Three Lions qualifying for a sixth World Cup with relative ease.

Group G: European behemoths Spain, Italy to battle it out for top spot

Spain, Italy, Albania, Israel, FYR Macedonia, Lichtenstein

In a group that will trigger memories of the Euro 2012 final, Spain and Italy should have no trouble snatching the top two spots from Albania, Israel, Macedonia, and Lichtenstein.

Just which of the two mammoths qualifies automatically remains to be seen, but if recent history is any indication, Spain holds the upper hand.

It will also be interesting to see if Spain or Italy can be the first team to ever beat the other on home soil in World Cup qualifying.

Group H: Belgium up against Mediterranean opponents

Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Estonia, Cyprus

Don't be deceived. While this is the only group that features three teams who participated in last year's World Cup, it's far from the strongest of the bunch.

Simply put, Belgium should qualify without being given too much trouble.

Group I: Croatia, Iceland drawn together in rematch of 2014 World Cup play-off

Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland

During the qualifying campaign for last year's World Cup, it was Croatia who denied Iceland of its first-ever appearance at football's most prestigious competition, defeating the Nordic side 2-0 on aggregate in a play-off.

Iceland will now have a shot at redemption after being drawn alongside Croatia in a group that also features respectable teams in Ukraine and Turkey.

The qualifiers will begin in September 2016, and run through November 2017.