Also in Group 6 is England's old foe Poland - a team we seem to be drawn with in almost every qualifying draw.

Austria and Azerbaijan complete the six-team group from which only the group winners are guaranteed a place in the 2006 World Cup.

Group 1 would seem to be one of the hardest groups with Holland, the Czech Republic and Romania all drawn together. The Dutch and Czechs are becoming all-too familiar with one another as they met in the qualification stages for Euro 2004 and will meet in the Finals next summer.

Scotland go into a group with Italy, Norway and Slovenia. The Republic of Ireland have a difficult task ahead of them as they'll need to win a group that includes France and Switzerland.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson caught up with TheFA.com to discuss the draw.

"Well, another interesting one," he said.

"There is a mixture there of teams who we know quite well and those who we don't know so much about. Northern Ireland and Wales are our neighbours - I'm sure there will be a big atmosphere for those two games and it's good to have some short away trips.

"Wales were extremely unlucky not to get to EURO 2004 so we will have to watch out for them definitely. I watched some of their games, including the ones against Italy. Mark Hughes has done a very good job. They have some excellent players and will be a big threat, no doubt about it.

"England have played Poland many times in qualification for big tournaments, I know that but Austria and Azerbijan we have not played so recently. I will start watching some videos!"

2006 FIFA World Cup - European Zone Qualifying


Group 1

Group 2

Czech Republic

Turkey

Holland

Denmark

Romania

Greece

Finland

Ukraine

Macedonia

Georgia

Armenia

Albania

Andorra

Kazakhstan

Group 3

Group 4

Portugal

France

Russia

Rep of Ireland

Slovakia

Switzerland

Latvia

Israel

Estonia

Cyprus

Liechtenstein

Faroe Islands

Luxembourg

Group 5

Group 6

Italy

England

Slovenia

Poland

Scotland

Austria

Norway

Wales

Belarus

Northern Ireland

Moldova

Azerbaijan

Group 7

Group 8

Spain

Sweden

Belgium

Croatia

Serbia-Montenegro

Bulgaria

Bosnia-Herzegovina

Iceland

Lithuania

Hungary

San Marino

Malta