Spain get tricky Euro 2016 draw; England, Wales paired together
England and Wales will meet for the first time in a major tournament after they were drawn in the same group for Euro 2016.
Roy Hodgson's men take on Chris Coleman's side on Thursday June 16 in Lens in what will be the teams' second match in Group B. It was the draw Coleman had been hoping to avoid, but Russia and Slovakia are the other opponents in the group meaning the most daunting rivals had been avoided.
Northern Ireland were drawn in Group C with world champions Germany, plus Poland and Ukraine. Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland side were drawn in Group E, which looks to be the toughest in terms of the path to the knock-out rounds, with Belgium, who are currently top of the FIFA world rankings, Sweden and Italy.
England kick off their campaign in Marseille on Saturday, June 11 against Russia, meet Wales five days later, and end the group against Slovakia in St Etienne on Monday, June 20. Marseille, Lens, and St Etienne were also the venues for three of England's matches in the 1998 World Cup in France, memorable for goals by Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Michael Owen.
Defending champion Spain has been drawn in a potentially tricky group with Croatia, Turkey and the Czech Republic for the European Championship next June.
France will like its chances of getting out of Group A. After the opening match against Romania, the host nation will play Albania - in the tournament for the first time - and finally Switzerland on June 19.
World champion Germany has Ukraine and Poland, the co-hosts of Euro 2012, in its Group C. Tournament first-timer Northern Ireland completes that group.
Group E has top-ranked team Belgium, Italy, Ireland and Sweden. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal opens against Iceland on June 14, with Austria and Hungary also making up that Group F.
GROUP A: France, Switzerland, Romania and Albania.
GROUP B: England, Russia, Slovakia and Wales.
GROUP C: Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Northern Ireland.
GROUP D: Spain, Croatia, Czech Republic and Turkey.
GROUP E: Belgium, Italy, Sweden and Republic of Ireland.
GROUP F: Portugal, Austria, Hungary and Iceland.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
