UEFA have confirmed the Euro 2020 draw’s four pots with England’s nightmare scenario now laid out in front of them.
Dropped into Pot 1, the Three Lions are joined by Italy, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Ukraine.
Southgate will be pleased to avoid Belgium and Germany but could yet get France
The seedings were decided by each side’s performance in the qualifiers – leaving France stuck in Pot 2.
Les Bleus’ loss to Turkey in qualification had a big impact in forcing them to face a strong opponent early on in Euro 2020 – Poland, Switzerland, Croatia, Russia and the Netherlands also assigned to Pot 2.
Down in Pot 3 are Portugal, Turkey, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Czech Republic.
Currently only two teams occupy Pot 4: Wales and Finland.
The other four sides in Pot 4 will be decided in the play-offs, which feature 16 teams in head-to-head knockouts that will take place in March.
The draw for the play-offs takes place on Friday morning with the overall Euro 2020 group stage being decided on the evening of November 30.
Among the sides vying for a route via these deciders are Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Norway and Kosovo.
GROUP OF DEATH
As if that wasn’t complicated enough, part of the group stage draw has already been completed.
With the competition taking place across the continent, each host nation will play in the group assigned to their stadium.
Therefore, England are in Group D and will take on Scotland if they qualify – because that group utilises Wembley and Hampden Park.
Definitely not in with Gareth Southgate are the Netherlands (Group C), Russia and Denmark (both Group B), and play-off challengers Romania, Ireland and Hungary.
That leaves France, Poland, Switzerland and Croatia as England’s remaining possibilities.
A group of death next summer might look like; England, France, Portugal and Serbia.
Of course, there is always the chance of a seemingly easy draw if the Three Lions are put against Switzerland, Austria, and a play-off team such as Belarus or Bulgaria.
Thinking further ahead, a first or second place finish in Group D would send England on a collision course with a side from Germany or Spain’s group – that could also contain Ireland or Romania if they qualify.
Confused? Kevin De Bruyne is.
The Belgium midfielder slammed the process after his side were already drawn against Russia and Denmark due to the sifting through of host nations into their own groups and the fact Ukraine cannot play Russia.
Ahead of the draw, he moaned: “It’s a shame. For me, it feels like a fake competition. Football has become more and more a business.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
