UEFA has announced the seedings for the Euro 2012 draw in December with England placed in Pot 2 together with Germany, Italy and Russia. Republic of Ireland are in Pot 4 and will be one of the bottom seeds when the draw is conducted in Kiev on Friday December 2.
As hosts, Poland and Ukraine are guaranteed of a place among the top seeds, as are reigning champions Spain.
The finals will comprise four groups, with one team from each pot represented in each group.
Pot 1: Poland, Ukraine, Spain, Netherlands
Pot 2: Germany, Italy, England, Russia
Pot 3: Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Sweden
Pot 4: Denmark, France, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland