The draw for the next UEFA Nations League tournament will take place on Thursday with England in League A where sixteen teams will be split into four groups.
With matches scheduled for June and September it means some high-quality opponents will provide the bulk of England's preparation for the World Cup, which starts in November with little time for Gareth Southgate to work with his squad at that stage due to the short gap between the Premier League finishing for its winter break and the tournament beginning.
With the Three Lions in Pot 3 for the draw they will be up against either holders France, Euro 2020 conquerors Italy, Spain or Belgium from Pot 1, Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark or Germany from Pot 2 and Wales, Austria, Czech Republic or Hungary from Pot 4.