England have been drawn against Wales, Switzerland, Bulgaria and Montenegro in qualifying for the European Championships in 2012.
Fabio Capello's men are in Group G, one of three groups with five teams instead of six, in qualifying for the tournament set to be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is Bulgaria's most potent attacking weapon, while Switzerland are coached by former Bayern Munich boss Ottmar Hitzfeld. The Swiss were the opponents in Capello's first game in charge of the national team when England won 2-1.
England last played Wales in a World Cup qualifier in Cardiff in 2005, winning 1-0 with a goal by Joe Cole. They have never before faced Montenegro although the Italian boss does not expect that to be an easy game.
Capello, said in Warsaw: "The worst groups were A and G - and we play in group G. It's a tough group - they are all strong teams to play - Montenegro and Switzerland are really good teams.
"It will be very interesting. Wales are a very young team now but the value of the players is high. I prefer being in a smaller group, we will play less games, but it's tough - this group is really tough.
"All four opponents are really dangerous. But I am sure we will play a fantastic qualification for the Euros."
Of the other home nations, Scotland will face European champions Spain and the Czech Republic along with Lithuania and Liechtenstein in challenging Group I.
Giovanni Trappattoni's Republic of Ireland will take on Russia, Slovakia, FYR Macedonia, Armenia and Andorra in Group B, when they will be confident of progress after so narrowly missing out on the 2010 World Cup.
Northern Ireland must play world champions Italy, Serbia, Slovenia, Estonia and Faroe Islands in Group C.
Qualification for the 2012 tournament will begin this September following this summer's World Cup finals in South Africa, and will run until October 2011.
Asked about England new captain Rio Ferdinand following John Terry's sacking on Friday, Capello said: "No questions about John Terry or the captaincy. I have spoken with John Terry and I will speak with Rio. There are no problems about the captain."
The draw for 2012 qualifying in full:
Group A: Germany, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan
Group B: Russia, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Andorra
Group C: Italy, Serbia, Northern Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Faroe Islands
Group D: France, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belarus, Albania, Luxembourg
Group E: Holland, Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Moldova, San Marino
Group F: Croatia, Greece, Israel, Latvia, Georgia, Malta
Group G: England, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Wales, Montenegro
Group H: Portugal, Denmark, Norway, Cyprus, Iceland
Group I: Spain, Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania, Liechtenstein
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