England will face Italy yet again in the coming twelve months as the pair were drawn together in Group C of EURO2024 qualifying, due to take place in 2023.
The Three Lions endured a shocking Nations League campaign, failing to pick up a win and being relegated from a group that contained Germany and Hungary as well as the Italians, meaning that they were seeded in pot 2.
As a result, they were almost guaranteed to meet one of the European heavyweights, with pot 1 consisting of The Netherlands, Spain, Croatia, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Poland and the aformentioned Hungary.
And, in a repeat of the EURO2020 final, it is the Azzuri that England were drawn against, while they will also face off with Ukraine, Malta and North Macedonia in a tricky group for the Three Lions.
North Macedonia knocked Italy out of the World Cup in the play-offs, while Ukraine reached the final of the play-offs only to fall against Wales, who ultimately were drawn in England’s group in Qatar.
The Group in full:
England
Ukraine
North Macedonia
Malta
Of course, there is speculation that it may be a new man in charge of England when this competition begins, with reports claiming that Gareth Southgate is inclined to leave his post as National Team manager after World Cup 2022 no matter the outcome, following increased pressure on his style of football.
The Qualifiers will be played between March and November 2023, and the top and second-placed side in each group heading to the tournament in Germany automatically, while there is a playoff round which will add another three sides to the tournament, one from each “league” of the Nations League.
Qualifying match dates
23–25/03/2023 Matchday 1
26–28/03/2023 Matchday 2
16–17/06/2023 Matchday 3
19–20/06/2023 Matchday 4
07–09/09/2023 Matchday 5
10–12/09/2023 Matchday 6
12–14/10/2023 Matchday 7
15–17/10/2023 Matchday 8
16–18/11/2023 Matchday 9
19–21/11/2023 Matchday 10
