Ireland drawn in Group with France and Netherlands for Euro 2024

Republic of Ireland have been handed a nightmare draw for Euro 2024 qualifying with Netherlands and France in Group B.

The Boys in Green are in a five-team group along with one of the strongest fourth-pot teams, Greece

Stephen Kenny’s side will also face Gibraltar as the final side in the group.

The top two teams will qualify, with a play-off possible for the tournament in Germany based on Nations League standings and the number of highly-ranked teams which have already qualified automatically.

It represents one of the worst possible scenarios for Kenny as they must get the better of one of two powerhouses in world football.

Northern Ireland were in the fifth pot of seeds and will take on Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan and San Marino in Group H in a far more favourable draw.

England have been paired with European champions Italy.

Italy beat Gareth Southgate’s team on penalties in the Euro 2020 final last summer. They will also face Ukraine along with North Macedonia and Malta

Scotland, aiming to qualify for a second successive Euros, have been drawn against three-time European champions Spain in Group A, along with Erling Haaland’s Norway, Georgia and Cyprus.

Wales will feel they have a good chance of reaching a third consecutive major tournament, with 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia their toughest opponents in Group D.

Rob Page’s team will also face Armenia, Turkey and Latvia.

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

Qualifying schedule in 2023:

23-25 March – Matchday 1

26-28 March – Matchday 2

16-17 June – Matchday 3

19-20 June – Matchday 4

7-9 Sept – Matchday 5

10-12 Sept – Matchday 6

12-14 Oct – Matchday 7

15-17 Oct – Matchday 8

16-18 Nov – Matchday 9

19-21 Nov – Matchday 10