The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsEngland secured qualification back in October with a 100% record and after the latest round of international fixtures we now know all 24 teams that will compete in France next summer.
The tournament takes on a new format for the first time this year with 6 groups of 4 rather than 4 groups of 4 and the England camp will be looking to the 12th of December when the groups will be drawn. But who can England get in their group? And more importantly, who do they want?
After an excellent performance in the qualifiers, England have been placed in pot 1 meaning they will definitely avoid hosts France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium and world champions Germany. But the other 3 pots contain nations who England will want to avoid, we are going to look at just who they are, as well as the best possible scenario for the draw.
POT 2
Who to avoid?
Pot 2 contains 6 very strong teams, but Roy Hodgson will definitely want to avoid Italy. The 1968 European champions are not the team they used to be, but their solid defence and powerful side could give England a tough game. England have faced Italy at the last 2 major tournaments and come out defeated on both occasions. England will also want to avoid Switzerland and Russia who pose a significant threat in pot 2.
Best Scenario?
England will be hoping that the name pulled out of Pot 2 on the 12th of December is Ukraine. They are ranked 28th in the world and just claimed qualification through the playoffs with a tense win against Slovenia. Roy will feel England are superior to Ukraine in every part of the pitch and should have no problems against them.
POT 3
Who to avoid?
England will definitely want to avoid Sweden. For one reason only: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The swede scored 11 goals in 10 games in the qualifying campaign and no England Fans need reminding what happened last time the two sides met. For a similar reason. England will hope to avoid Poland and in form striker Robert Lewandowski.
Best Scenario?
Arguably the weakest team in Pot 3 is Romania. Handed a very easy qualification group and qualifying with only 20 points, they pose very little attacking threat and England should have no problem getting past them in the group stage.
POT 4
Who to avoid?
England will hope to avoid Turkey from pot 4. They have showed some good form lately and fought off the likes of Holland to qualify. They have some good talent in Burak Yilmaz and Barcelona’s Arda Turan and would pose a reasonable challenge to Roy Hodgson’s men.
Best Scenario?
Albania are the weakest side in the competition and England will hope to draw them for a simple challenge in their final group game.
Here is what the best case scenario would be for England
| Pot | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | England |
| 2 | Ukraine |
| 3 | Romania |
| 4 | Albania |
