Thomas Tuchel and England have been given a relatively simple route to the 2026 World Cup final after this afternoon's draw in Switzerland.
Tuchel will start his England tenure with at least one qualifying match in March after the 2022 quarter-finalists were included in a five-team qualifying group made up of Serbia, Albania, Latvia and Andorra.
Of these teams, Serbia is the highest ranked country at number 32. They were defeated 1-0 by a Jude Bellingham goal in the opening match of last summer's European Championship. The Serbs were recently charged with racism and setting off fireworks.
The Serbian federation is banned from selling tickets for the team's next two away matches in UEFA competitions and must close parts of the stadium for two home matches.
It is not yet known when they will face England as the qualifiers have not yet been announced.
That aside, England will have no reason to be particularly fearful of Albania – whom they have beaten four times in four games – Latvia – where they have never played – or Andorra, against whom they have beaten a total score of 26- in six games achieved 0.
There are a total of twelve qualifying groups, the winners of which automatically qualify for the World Cup.
The runners-up from each group will enter the play-offs, with four teams progressing over the teams that make it into the tournament.
Each team will face each other home and away, meaning Tuchel's side will play eight qualifying matches.
Elsewhere, the other four home countries also discovered their opponents for qualifying.
Scotland, who have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998, have been placed in Group C alongside Greece, Belarus and the loser of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark.
Wales reached the last World Cup two years ago, ending their 64-year wait to play on the biggest stage.
They are placed in Group J alongside Belgium, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein.
Ireland will face Hungary, Armenia and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between Portugal and Denmark in Group F, while Northern Ireland will be in Group A with Slovakia, Luxembourg and the winner of the Nations League quarter-final between Germany and Denmark. Italy.
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