The draw in Rio de Janeiro saw England in Group H against Montenegro, Ukraine, Poland, Moldova and San Marino.
Scotland and Wales will have to play each other in Group A with some strong-looking opponents - three from the Balkans - in Croatia, Serbia, Belgium and Macedonia.
Northern Ireland have some long-distance trips in Group F with Portugal, Russia, Israel, Northern Ireland, Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
The Republic of Ireland are in Group C with Germany, Sweden, Austria, the Faroe Islands and Kazakhstan.
The winners of the nine groups qualify automatically and the eight best runners-up play off for the four remaining places.
England boss Fabio Capello, who is moving on next summer after the conclusion of the Euro 2012 campaign, knows from experience that Montenegro are resilient - they drew 0-0 at Wembley in October.
World and European champions Spain have been paired with France in Group I.
The duo will also battle it out with Belarus, Georgia and Finland in the only five-team European pool.
Italy will compete with Denmark, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Armenia, Malta in Group B.
Group D will see Holland come up against Turkey, Hungary, Romania, Estonia and Andorra.
Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland, Albania, Cyprus and Iceland are the nations who make up Group E and Group G contains Greece, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lithuania, Latvia and Liechtenstein.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter had launched the draw insisting the world governing body had confidence that Brazil would overcome delays in preparations.
Blatter said: "We need the support of the government of Brazil, the state governments, the organising committee and the 190million fans of football that is the population of Brazil.
"It is a matter of trust and confidence and FIFA have trust in Brazil and are confident of its abilities.
"Football is the beating heart of Brazil. It is a multi-cultural country of joy and celebration blessed with natural beauty and a booming economy ranking number seven in the world."