All but two of the Groups in European Zone qualifying for Brazil 2014 have had their fixtures finalised, with England, France, Italy and Spain starting out away to Moldova, Finland, Bulgaria and Georgia respectively.
"We’re not favourites: Russia have a lot of talented individuals and Israel have proven they are very dangerous opponents for any team,” Portugal coach Paulo Bento.
Group F features a couple of heavyweights in the form of Portugal and Russia who will both see themselves as destined for top spot, but the likes of Israel and Northern Ireland will look to rock the boat.
The draw for the European zone yielded some potentially thrilling sections, with local rivalries set to be stirred and the world champions left to do battle with another winner of football's ultimate prize.
Defender Nemanja Vidic is scheduled to continue his comeback from a calf injury on Wednesday when Serbia take on Korea Republic.
Nigel Worthington believes his team's South Africa 2010 qualifying campaign has been a success, with Northern Ireland finishing fourth in Group 3.
