The Republic of Ireland could very well renew some famous old rivalries when the World Cup qualifying draw is held in Zurich later today.
Stephen Kenny's side enter the draw in Pot 3 courtesy of their inability to find a goal against Bulgaria last month alongside Serbia’s defeat of Russia and Northern Ireland’s draw with Romania.
While being grouped with Northern Ireland or Scotland is impossible as they are also in Pot 3, Kenny’s men could find themselves in with England (Pot 1) or Wales (Pot 2).
Gareth Southgate's team are in the top pot of seeds, alongside the world's number one-ranked team Belgium and reigning world champions France. Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands are other potential Irish opponents from the top seeds.
England beat the Republic 3-0 in a friendly in November, but have not been in competitive action since a 1991 qualifier for the following year's European Championship.
As well as Wales, other dangerous Pot 2 opponents include Poland, led by Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski.
In total, 55 teams will be split into five groups of five and five groups of six when the draw takes place at 5pm. The qualifiers will be played between March and November next year.
The winners of the 10 groups will qualify automatically for the finals, which for the first time will be played in November and December of 2022 to avoid the punishing summer heat in the Middle East.
A further three places will be fought out between the 10 group runners-up and the two highest-ranked teams from the Nations League who have not already qualified or finished in a runner-up spot.
These 12 teams will be divided into three play-off paths, each featuring four countries, to determine the final three European berths.
Pot 1: Belgium, France, England, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands.
Pot 2: Switzerland, Wales, Poland, Sweden, Austria, Ukraine, Serbia, Turkey, Slovakia, Romania.
Pot 3: Russia, Hungary, Republic of Ireland , Czech Republic, Norway, Northern Ireland, Iceland, Scotland, Greece, Finland.
Pot 4: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Israel, Belarus, Georgia, Luxembourg.
Pot 5: Armenia, Cyprus, Faroe Islands, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Kosovo, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Andorra.
Pot 6: Malta, Moldova, Liechtenstein, Gibraltar, San Marino.
