Dates Revealed For England-Scotland Qualifiers

The dates for England and Scotland's epic 2018 World Cup qualifying showdowns have been revealed.

The two national sides were drawn alongside each other in Group F of the European draw of the event's qualifiers along with Malta, Lithuania, Slovenia and Slovakia.

The prize will be a place at the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

England will host Scotland on Friday, 11 November, 2016, UEFA has announced. The return fixture in Scotland will be played on Saturday, 10 June, 2017.

Wales, currently tenth in the world, are in Group D with the Republic of Ireland, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Austria.

Northern Ireland, in Group C, will face Germany, San Marino, Norway, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic.

England manager Roy Hodgson told BBC Radio 5 Live: "I'm pleased to come away with a good group and if England want me to lead the team I will be delighted to do so.

"If we can come through Euro 2016 without too many tears being shed I believe we have a good chance of qualifying for 2018.

"So many other groups would have been more problematic, not least for fans travelling, some are not such easy countries to get to, but we’ve been drawn not only nice places but easy to get to as well."

The names were drawn out during a ceremony in St Petersburg organised by hosts Russia and world football governing body FIFA.

Former Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff had the task of selecting and then unwrapping a series of unmarked plastic balls that contained the names of the top seeded teams.

Russian footballer Alexander Kerzhakov was also involved in drawing out the names of European sides.

The names were then confirmed by FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who was compering the event.

The groups were revealed shortly after outgoing FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced that the body's Executive Committee had given Russia its full backing for the 2018 event.

As hosts, Russia is automatically entered into the finals.

The other 52 European sides were selected from nine pots, seven with six teams and two with five, depending on their worldwide ranking.

All the home sides, and the Republic of Ireland, are in groups with six teams.

The reaction by former England and Scotland players and fans was generally positive.

On Twitter, Alan Shearer wrote: "Very good group for England! Can't see us dropping many points against that opposition #WCQ2018 #bringonscotland"

Gary Lineker tweeted: "A bit of England v Scotland in the World Cup qualifiers. Should liven up an otherwise drab and easy group."

Yorkshire-born spin doctor Alastair Campbell, whose father is Scottish, wrote: "Fantastic draw for Scotland. Another World Cup visit beckons."

While the Scottish FA tweeted: "And finally, Scotland will face @england!"