By Betsefy
England have been handed a difficult qualifying draw for Euro 2024, being paired with the defending champions Italy and top seeds in each of the top four pots.
On the back of their relegation in the UEFA Nations League, Gareth Southgate‘s side were down in pot two, and it led to the Three Lions being drawn alongside Italy in a repeat of the Euro 2020 final.
Ukraine and North Macedonia, who were top seeds in pot three and four, will also take on England, with Malta completing the five-nation group.
Meanwhile, Republic of Ireland have been provided with an uphill task with Netherlands and France both in their group, as well as an improving Greece side and minnows Gibraltar.
Scotland will also be disappointed with their draw, the Tartan Army having been placed in a group with Spain and a Norway side spearheaded by Erling Braut Haaland.
© Reuters
Georgia, one of the most improved European nations over the past 12 months, and Cyprus make up the rest of Group A.
Wales will be happier with their group having been selected alongside Croatia, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia, while Northern Ireland were placed in one of the six-nation groups.
Ian Baraclough‘s team, now down in pot five, face Denmark, Slovenia, Finland, Kazakhstan and San Marino.
The games will take place between March 2023 and March 2024, with the Finals due to commence on June 14 later that year.
Groups in full:
Group A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus
Group B: Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar
Group C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta
Group D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Turkey, Latvia
Group E: Poland, Czech Republic, 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 and Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein
