Tough World Cup Qualifying draw for Ireland

Republic of Ireland have been given a tough group in today’s 2010 World Cup Qualifying draw.

The team has been drawn against World Cup champions Italy, as well as Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in group eight in today’s 2010 World Cup draw.

As well as the champions, Irish fans will bemoan drawing some of the tougher 'weak' teams such as Georgia and Montenegro, who could provide potential banana skins.

Northern Ireland fans will be reasonably pleased, drawing Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino and Czech Republic, Poland in Group 3.

Managerless England have been drawn against the side who knocked them out of Euro 2008.

Slaven Bilic’s men ran out 3-2 winners at Wembley in midweek to seal England’s fate and the teams will get the chance to renew acquaintances when the road to South Africa begins next autumn.

The other sides in Group Six are Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra.

Qualifying Group Draw in full:

Group 1: Portugal, Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Albania, Malta

Group 2: Greece, Israel, Switzerland, Moldova, Latvia, Luxembourg

Group 3: Czech Republic, Poland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia, Slovenia, San Marino

Group 4: Germany, Russia, Finland, Wales, Azerbaijan, Liechtenstein

Group 5: Spain, Turkey, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Armenia, Estonia

Group 6: Croatia, England, Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Andorra

Group 7: France, Romania, Serbia, Lithuania, Austria, Faroe Islands

Group 8: Italy, Bulgaria, Republic Of Ireland, Cyprus, Georgia, Montenegro

Group 9: Holland, Scotland, Norway, FYR Macedonia, Iceland.