England face Bulgaria first

Capello's side move up one place (REUTERS)

England have been handed a favourable fixture list in their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, beginning with the first competitive Friday night kick-off at the new Wembley against Bulgaria on 3 September.

The new international calendar will see double-headers played on Fridays and Tuesdays. After Bulgaria, Fabio Capello's men continue their Group G campaign away to Switzerland four days later and then face a home match against Montenegro in October.

The most eagerly-anticipated games will be against John Toshack's Wales at the Millennium Stadium on 26 March, 2011, and at Wembley on 6 September later that year.

The draw for the fixtures was conducted today in Tel Aviv after the other teams in England's group failed to agree a schedule between themselves. FA officials were relieved that the draw has seen England avoid June matches in Bulgaria and Montenegro where the heat could have proved a problem.

They host the Swiss in June and travel to Bulgaria in early September when the temperature is less of an issue. England finish their campaign away to Montenegro on 7 October.

Wales face a tricky start, away to Montenegro on 3 September, followed by a home match with Bulgaria the following month. They travel to Switzerland and are at home to Montenegro either side of welcoming England.

The Republic of Ireland will begin their Group B qualifying campaign away to Armenia. They are at home to Andorra four days later before two tough assignments, at home to Russia on 8 October and away to World Cup qualifiers Slovakia on 12 October.

Euro 2012: Qualifying fixtures

England's Group G qualifying fixtures for Euro 2012:

Friday 3 September England v Bulgaria; Tuesday 7 September Switzerland v England; Tuesday 12 October England v Montenegro; Saturday 26 March 2011 Wales v England; Saturday 4 June England v Switzerland; Friday 2 September Bulgaria v England; Tuesday 6 September England v Wales; Friday 7 October Montenegro v England.