The draw for the Euro 2024 qualifiers has thrown up a repeat of the 2020 ultimate, with Italy dealing with England in Group C. There had been gasps on the Festhalle in Frankfurt as the previous Germany striker Karl-Heinz Riedle pulled England’s identify out of the second one pot of seeds. On paper, it’s England’s hardest qualifying group in additional than 20 years, with Ukraine and North Macedonia additionally contesting the 2 to be had puts on the finals in Germany. Malta entire the five-team group.
In phase England were penalised for his or her stunning performances in the latest Nations League, which noticed them relegated to League B and intended they had been absent from the highest pot of seeds for the primary time because the 2010 World Cup. The double-header towards the protecting champions represents their first time they have got been drawn towards some of the giants of European soccer in qualifying since dealing with Germany forward of the 2002 World Cup.
Ukraine and North Macedonia aren’t to be underestimated, both. The fallout from the Russian invasion has compelled Ukraine to play their house fixtures in Poland in the meanwhile however they got here inside of touching distance of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup and had been quarter-finalists at Euro 2020 prior to being knocked out by means of England. North Macedonia additionally certified for Euro 2020 and eradicated Italy from World Cup qualifying previous this yr. However, their veteran talisman Goran Pandev will introduced his retirement from the sport ultimate month.
Scotland and Ireland have additionally been passed daunting assignments. Steve Clarke’s crew were drawn towards Spain and Norway, whilst Ireland will face 3 former champions within the Netherlands, France and Greece. Wales will fancy their probabilities of qualifying from Group D, with Croatia, Armenia and Turkey their most powerful competition. Northern Ireland are in Group H with Denmark and Finland.
The height two groups from each and every of the ten teams will qualify for Euro 2024 together with the hosts, Germany. The final 3 puts might be made up our minds by means of a play-off procedure in accordance with performances within the contemporary Nations League.
Scotland, as winners in their League B group, are assured a play-off position in the event that they fail to qualify mechanically.
The attract complete
Group A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus
Group B: Netherlands, France, Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar
Group C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta
Group D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Turkey, Latvia
Group E: Poland, Czechia, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova
Group F: Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia
Group G: Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania
Group H: Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino
Group I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus, Andorra
Group J: Portugal, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein