Fifa made a small but significant tweak to the World Cup draw in December.

The top four nations in the Fifa world ranking - France, Argentina, Spain and England - were drawn into separate quarters.

If those countries were to win their groups - which they did - they would not be able to meet until the semi-finals.

France and Spain are in one half and on course to meet in the semi-finals, with Argentina and England in the other.

The idea is it limits the chance of marquee ties early in the tournament.

But, depending on how the groups finish up, it also gives those countries a more favourable path.

In the first two knockout rounds, there were only two meetings of the world's top 10 - Netherlands v Morocco and Spain v Portugal.

Argentina would appear to have been given the kindest route, even though they only just beat Cape Verde (67th in the world) and Egypt (29th) 3-2.

Next up in the quarter-finals it is Switzerland (19th).

England will not face one of the top 10 unless they come up against Argentina in the potential semi-final. They did have to beat Mexico (14th) in the Azteca.

Spain have beaten Portugal (5th) and now play Belgium (9th), while France meet Morocco (7th) in the quarters.

Argentina have had the best of this.

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