European qualifying fixtures announced

England, France and Italy are in Moldova, Finland and Bulgaria respectively as European Zone qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ begins on 7 September 2012, before reigning champions Spain kick off their quest away to Georgia four days later. Click this ‘European Zone qualifiers’ link to see the full list of fixtures for all Groups except C and D, who have been granted until 16 December to finalise their match calendar. The top team in each of the nine sections will advance to Brazil 2014, with the eight best runners-up competing in play-off ties for the continent’s remaining four places. After trips to Georgia and Belarus, Spain host France on 16 October 2012 in what is one of the most eagerly anticipated qualifiers. Les Bleus will entertain La Roja in the sides’ second meeting on 26 March 2013. Group A, arguably the most wide-open pool, will commence with Scotland at home to Serbia, Croatia entertaining FYR Macedonia, and Belgium in Wales. The Scots and the Welsh collide in their final outing on 22 March 2013. England start out with a trip to Moldova, before home games against Ukraine and San Marino. Away fixtures in Poland, San Marino and Montenegro follow, before a visit to Ukraine. The Three Lions then finish off their Group H campaign by welcoming Montenegro and Poland. Portugal and Russia, the two Group F favourites, will engage in battle out east on 12 October 12 and in Iberia on 7 June 2013.