Akhil Viyas previews some of Friday's biggest matches as qualification for Euro 2012 gets underway
Liechtenstein v Spain, Group I
World and European champions Spain start their qualification campaign away to minnows Liechtenstein in a group which also features Scotland, the Czech Republic and Lithuania.
Spain have recalled the trio of Fernando Torres, Andres Iniesta and Pepe Reina who all missed their friendly in August against Mexico. Villarreal's Santi Cazorla is the only man who was not apart of the World Cup who has made the squad after impressing in the Mexico clash.
Spain will however, be without Carlos Puyol who has withdrawn from the squad due to a leg injury. Osasuna’s Nacho Monreal has been called up as a replacement.
After Liechtenstein, Spain face Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday, a game which will be live on ITV4 & ITV.com
San Marino v Netherlands, Group E
World Cup runners up Netherlands also start their European quest away at one of the continent’s minnows.
The two big absentees from the squad are Robin Van Persie, who dropped out after getting injured while playing for Arsenal at Blackburn last week, and Arjen Robben who is back on the treatment table. Van Persie is replaced in the squad by Ruud Van Nistelrooy.
Belgium v Germany, Group A
The German’s start their qualifying round with a tricky trip to Belgium. With Turkey and Austria in the same group, Germany will want to make sure they start well and not get involved in a scrap by topping the group.
Germany captain Michael Ballack has been assured he remains captain of his country despite the fact he will miss the first two qualifiers with the injury that kept him out of the World Cup finals.
Arne Friedrich, Jerome Boateng, Piotr Trochowski and Dennis Aogo are four of the players who were involved at the World Cup but are out injured and not part of Jogi Low’s squad.
Montenegro v Wales, Group G
John Toshack’s Wales will be desperate for a good start in a group which also includes World Cup finalists England and Switzerland.
West Ham centre back Danny Gabbidon has been recalled despite not playing any competitive football since April. His former club team mate James Collins is also recalled having missed Wales’ last two outings.
Striker Craig Bellamy will once again lead the side having moved to Cardiff from Man City on loan.
France v Belarus, Group D
Laurent Blanc continues his grand rebuilding programme as the French take on Belarus in their first competitive match since World Cup finals defeat by South Africa.
After initially dropping the entire 23-man World Cup squad for August’s friendly against Norway, Blanc has recalled a number of players from the summer’s farce.
However, Patrice Evra, Franck Ribery and Nicolas Anelka have all been suspended by the French Football Federation for their part in the South African mutiny, while Eric Abidal, William Gallas, Jeremy Toulalan, Sidney Govou, Lassana Diarra and Samir Nasri are also missing.
Players that have been brought in that were not in the World Cup include Karim Benzema and Louis Saha.