England learn Euro 2012 qualifying fate

Capello's side open their campaign at home to Bulgaria (GETTY IMAGES)

England will kick off their Euro 2012 qualification campaign at home to Bulgaria on September 3.

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 draw, conducted today in Tel Aviv, suits England as they have avoided June matches in Bulgaria and Montenegro where the heat could have proved a problem.

England take on John Toshack's Wales at the Millennium Stadium on March 26, 2011.

They host the Swiss in June and travel to Bulgaria in early September when the temperature is likely to be less of an issue.

The return match with Wales follows at Wembley on September 6, 2011 and they finish their campaign away to Montenegro on October 7.

Wales face a tricky start, away to Montenegro on September 3 followed by a home match with Bulgaria the following month.

They travel to Switzerland and are at home to Montenegro either side of their home match against England.

The principality take on Switzerland in Cardiff in October 2011 and finish their campaign away to Bulgaria on October 11.

Republic of Ireland open their qualifying campaign away to Group B opponents Armenia.

They are at home to minnows Andorra four days later before two tough assignments, at home to Russia on October 8 and away to World Cup qualifiers Slovakia on October 12.

Home and away matches against FYR Macedonia follow in March and June next year before the return games against Slovakia and Russia in the space of five days in September 2011.

Giovanni Trapattoni's men will expect to pick up maximum points from their final two qualifiers, though, away to Andorra on 7 October 2011 and at home to Armenia four days later.