Spain, who won Euro 2008 with a series of superb performances culminating in their victory over Germany in the final, are ranked number one in the world and were grouped with Czech Republic, Scotland, Lithuania and Liechtenstein.
Croatia coach Slaven Bilic is confident his team will qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals and plans to quit his post for club management at the end of the qualifying campaign.
Michael Owen was overlooked again on Sunday when England coach Fabio Capello named his squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and Belarus. Portsmouth forward Peter Crouch and Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips return to the squad for the Group Six fixtures after good form for their clubs.
The media saluted Theo Walcott on Thursday after his hat-trick in England's 4-1 demolition of Croatia in a World Cup qualifier in Zagreb.
David Beckham no longer expects to play in every game for England and was happy to be in the squad for the 4-1 victory in Croatia on Wednesday inspired by a hat-trick by teenager Theo Walcott.
Striker Mirolsav Klose scored a hat-trick as Germany were held to a surprising 3-3 draw by Finland in their Group Four World Cup qualifier in Helsinki on Wednesday. Finland led three times, but Klose replied each time to deny the Finns, who have never reached the World Cup finals, a first win over Germany for 85 years. Klose's final goal came just seven minutes from time.
England hope to put behind their gloomy recent experiences against Croatia when they travel to Zagreb on Wednesday for an early key World Cup qualifier. Croatia beat England twice in the Euro 2008 qualifiers, costing them a place in June's finals in Switzerland and Austria and coach Steve McLaren his job.
England manager Fabio Capello said his team relished facing Croatia again on Wednesday and would play with more confidence in their Group Six World Cup qualifier in Zagreb than they would at Wembley.
England were booed off at halftime against Andorra before grinding out a 2-0 victory as Europe's 2010 World Cup qualifiers began in earnest on Saturday.
Steven Gerrard is to have surgery on his groin that is likely to rule him out of England's opening two World Cup qualifiers next month.
France received chilling notice that the road to post-World Cup redemption will be long and hard when they lost 1-0 to Belarus in Paris on Friday, while Portugal threw away two points in a frantic 4-4 draw at home to Cyprus. England and Italy were able to start repairing their reputations with contrasting wins in their first Euro 2012 qualifiers and Spain swatted away Liechtenstein 4-0 with an ease befitting their status as world and European champions.
India, ranked 165 in the world, are placed 32nd in Asia.
The orange-clad army of Dutch fans can start booking flights for South Africa after the Netherlands became the first European nation to qualify for next year's World Cup finals with victory in Iceland on Saturday.
Rio Ferdinand will captain England in Wednesday's Paris friendly against France but coach Fabio Capello will not select his permanent skipper until his side begin their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
David Beckham will get his 100th England cap as long as he is fit and in form, manager Fabio Capello told national team fans on Wednesday.
Despite the assurances of UK Chancellor Alistair Darling that 'markets could have confidence that countries will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to tackle the global slowdown', there is still no agreement on how long the recession will last and whether it will turn into the classic deflation with its attendant massive social unrest.
The Italian is set to succeed Steve McLaren as the next England football manager.
World champions Italy were drawn against Bulgaria and England were up against Croatia, who knocked them out of the Euro 2008 tournament, following the draw for 2010 World Cup qualifying made in Durban on Sunday
Russia joined Sweden, Turkey and Portugal as the last four qualifiers for next year's European championship on Wednesday after England's hopes were shattered in a 3-2 defeat by Croatia at Wembley Stadium.
David Beckham and goalkeeper Paul Robinson have been dropped for England's Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia.
Nine teams are in contention to fill up the remaining four slots in the 2008 Euro qualifying tournament.
A Russian billionaire has offered incentives to Croatia for beating England in their final Euro 2008 Group E qualifier.
Wayne Rooney's welcome return to scoring form in Saturday's 3-0 win over Estonia delighted England coach Steve McClaren, whose men are now just one win away from next year's European Championship finals.
World champions Italy have returned to the top of the rankings after leaping above Argentina and Brazil.
Cristiano Ronaldo saved Portugal from an embarrassing defeat in Armenia on Wednesday while Belgium dented Serbia's hopes of reaching Euro 2008 with a 3-2 qualifying win.
European countries begin their campaigns to reach the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa on Saturday.
The former captain engineered a 3-0 win over Estonia and put them back in the race to qualify for Euro 2008.
England will resume their Euro 2008 campaign in Estonia on Wednesday.
England manager Steve McClaren said on Tuesday he would "stand or fall" by his bold choice to recall former captain David Beckham to the squad.
World champions Italy and Euro 2008 winners Spain took determined steps towards World Cup qualification with victories on Saturday but France and Portugal are struggling after being held to disappointing draws. Nobody was in a position to join already-qualified Netherlands in securing a place at the finals in South Africa next year but Spain can make a provisional booking after seven wins out of seven following a 5-0 home thrashing of Belgium.
Michael Owen could play for the first time since the 2006 World Cup in the Premier League game at Reading.
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has called for an end to the "crazy" Euro 2008 qualifying system.
Chelsea's Dutch winger Arjen Robben needs an operation on his knee and could be out for the rest of the season.
Former England managers have been depicted as root vegetables but the tabloid teasing of present incumbent Steve McClaren aimed a little higher on Wednesday.
England midfielder Frank Lampard has called for action to prevent any repetition of the attack he faced from a fan at Tottehnam Hotspur in the FA Cup.
England coach Steve McClaren is hoping defenders Micah Richards and Jonathan Woodgate will shrug off injuries in time for their Euro 2008 qualifiers against Israel and Andorra.
Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson scored with a free kick in their 3-1 victory over Watford.
Soon, the greatest global show will be over. Life will not be the same, probably a bit boring with no octopus, no blundering referees, no Paraguayan starlet or horrible cacophony (though by the end of the competition we will be missing it!).
World champions Brazil remain in top spot, with Argentina, currently leading the South American qualifying competition for the 2006 World Cup, still in third.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will captain England in Wednesday's friendly against Switzerland.
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