Socceroos to learn World Cup fate Faced with the least difficult road or the most daunting one paved with the possibility of unfathomable glory, which would you prefer? This is what the Socceroos will be weighing up as they watch the draw for next year's World Cup unfold from 3am (AEDT) on Saturday morning. Several frightening prospects are lurking for coach Ange Postecoglou and his charges when the 32 national teams are sorted into eight groups of four in the small Brazilian resort town of Costa do Sauipe. FIFA on Wednesday confirmed the four pots for the draw, with Australia to come from Pot 3, alongside Asian counterparts South Korea, Iran and Japan, as well as CONCACAF nations USA, Mexico, Costa Rica and Honduras. But the world governing body have thrown a spanner in the works by not announcing which of the nine unseeded European sides is still to be allocated to Pot 2, adding another element of uncertainty. What is certain, when the balls are plucked, is that Australia will be facing one of the eight seeded teams who are all in Pot 1 - Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Spain, Germany, Belgium or Switzerland. A best case scenario for the Socceroos would be landing in a group with the likes of Switzerland, Algeria and Greece. But, should Australia be drawn in a `group of death', those lottery balls could also produce Brazil, France - both of whom smashed the Socceroos 6-0 in the past two months - and the Netherlands. The Socceroos could be forgiven for desperately hoping to avoid World Cup favourites Brazil and a repeat of September's humiliating defeat. But then again, if you're after a sporting experience of a lifetime, it doesn't get much better than facing the five-time world champions at home on the greatest stage of all. Many are already dreaming of facing traditional enemy England in the "Ashes of football" or being pitted against Uruguay and reliving the historic 2005 victory. All permutations aside, the harsh reality for Australia - the lowest-ranked team in the tournament - is there'll be no easy opponent, just varying degrees of difficulty. The draw will also determine where Australia will base themselves for the showpiece event with the small coastal city of Vitoria, some 500km north of Rio de Janeiro, already earmarked as the likely location. Postecoglou, who is in Brazil for the draw along with Football Federation boss David Gallop, has already inspected Vitoria and its facilities. The coastal city appeals for its relatively central location and stable climate. Plus - as a city not hosting any of the 64 games - Postecoglou will be able to keep his 23-man squad away from the carnival atmosphere that is sure to overrun the major metropolises.