FA Chairman Greg Dyke says England’s luck could have been far worse in Friday’s World Cup draw.
The Three Lions were drawn in Group D alongside Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica – and have to open their campaign in the heat and humidity of the Arena Amazonia in Manaus.
But speaking to Sky Sports after the dust had settled in Costa do Suaipe, Dyke insisted there are plenty of positives to take.
"There are easier groups, aren't there? But there are harder groups so that's OK," he said.
"We were not keen to go further up north, to Manaus, but we're playing Italy there and it's a very late night game, so it might be OK.
“You've got to get acclimatised to it. You've got to stay there a bit longer. It's an acclimatisation problem. Other than that, I'm told it's a beautiful place.”
'I think it's a great place to be - it's where a lot of the action is. It is going to be the heart of the World Cup'
Alex Horne on Rio base
Dyke also confirmed that now England know the destinations of each of their three group games, there would be no need to switch hotels and training camp.
"We now know where we are based - in Rio,” he added.
“Those that have been to the Rio base say it's very good. I think everyone is very happy with it.”
Meanwhile, FA General Secretary Alex Horne said that from a logistical point of view, everybody is happy to be staying in Rio.
“I think it's a great place to be - I think it's where a lot of the action is. I think it is going to be the heart of the World Cup," he said.
"We've found a really nice hotel and a great training camp that we're really pleased with. To leave those plans in place is good. Geographically, this works for us now.
“Travelling to Manaus is fine. We knew we would have to travel. It's a very big country. The reason for picking Rio is you are in the middle of it all. It will be the same for Italy.
"We'll take this back now and make proper plans with our medical people and operations people."
