Mexico, Brazil drawn in tough groups at Under-20 World Cup

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) " Mexico has been drawn with 2013 runner-up Uruguay, Serbia and an African qualifier in what may in a tough Group D for this year's Under-20 Football World Cup in New Zealand.

Brazil will face the African champion, North Korea and Hungary in Group E after the draw in Auckland on Tuesday which saw the United States pooled in Group A against host New Zealand, Ukraine and first-time qualifier Myanmar.

Germany faces Uzbekistan, Honduras and another first-timer, Fiji, in Group F, while Argentina, Panama, Australia and the third-placed African qualifier are in Group B. Group C is made up of Qatar, Colombia, Portugal and the fourth-place African side

New Zealand and Ukraine will meet in the opening match of the tournament which is held from May 30 to June 20.

The African Under-20 Championships, which will decide four World Cup spots, will take place in Senegal from Mar. 8 to 22.

France, the 2013 champion, did not qualify for this year's tournament.

FIFA vice-president Jeffrey Webb said the Under-20 world tournament is famous for its ability to create new stars.

"Several of the players who have starred in previous FIFA Under-20 World Cups played at last year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, such as James Rodriguez and Paul Pogba," said Webb, who is also chairman of the tournament's organizing committee.

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Groups:

Group A (Auckland): New Zealand, Ukraine, United States, Myanmar.

Group B (Wellington): Argentina, Panama, CAF 3, Australia.

Group C (Hamilton): Qatar, Colombia, Portugal, CAF 4.

Group D (Dunedin): Mexico, CAF 2, Uruguay, Serbia.

Group E (New Plymouth): CAF Champion, Brazil, North Korea, Hungary.

Group F (Christchurch): Germany, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Honduras.