England drawn against familiar foes in World Cup qualifiers

England face familiar qualifying rivals Poland on the road to the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
Gareth Southgate's England face five other nations in next year's World Cup qualifiersGareth Southgate's England face five other nations in next year's World Cup qualifiers
Gareth Southgate's England face five other nations in next year's World Cup qualifiers

England face familiar qualifying foes Poland on the road to the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

The Poles, whose star striker Robert Lewandowski has arguably been the best player in the world in 2020, have faced the Three Lions in qualifying for the 1974, 1990, 1994, 2006 and 2014 World Cups, as well as taking on England in the finals in Mexico in 1986.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

England and Poland also met in qualifying for the 1992 and 2000 European Championships.

Gareth Southgate's men have also been drawn against Hungary, Albania, Andorra and San Marino in matches which will be played between March and November next year.

Wales face the world's number one-ranked team, Belgium, in Group E alongside the Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia.

Wales earned one of their most famous victories against the Belgians when they beat them in the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Scotland are up against Denmark, Austria, Israel, the Faroe Islands and Moldova in Group F as they seek a first World Cup qualification since 1998.

The Scots lost to Israel in a Nations League match last month.

Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have been placed in five-team groups.

The Republic face reigning European champions Portugal, as well as Serbia, Luxembourg and Azerbaijan in Group A, while Northern Ireland face a tough group against Italy, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Lithuania.

The Republic faced Portugal in qualifying for the 2002 World Cup, but their most recent match against them was a 5-1 friendly defeat just before the 2014 finals.