England received a boost ahead of Sunday's Euro 2000 qualifying draw after it was announced yesterday they would head a group comprising five teams, not six. Organisers have decided that Glenn Hoddle's side, plus Germany, Italy and Spain will each head a group of five.
Mick McCarthy's Republic of Ireland have been drawn in the third group of seedings. Yesterday, UEFA released the full list of seedings, with Northern Ireland in the fourth group.
The draw, which will be made by Dutch legend Johan Cruyff and former Belgian coach Paul Van Himst, will comprise 49 teams in total.
The nine group winners and the best runner-up will go through, with the eight remaining runners-up drawn in four pairs to take part in play-offs on a home and away basis in November next year. Joint hosts Belgium and the Netherlands have already qualified for the finals.
Unlike past tournaments, the reigning champions - currently Germany - do not qualify automatically.
Seeds For Euro 2000 Qualifying Draw
Hat A (top seeds): Germany, Spain, Romania, Russia, England, Yugoslavia, Scotland, Italy, Norway
Hat B: Bulgaria, Denmark, Croatia, Portugal, Austria, France, Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece
Hat C: Republic of Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, Lithuania, Slovakia, Finland, Israel, Georgia
Hat D: Poland, Hungary, Northern Ireland, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Latvia, Macedonia, Cyprus, Wales, Iceland
Hat E: Belarus, Slovenia, Armenia, Faroe Isles, Albania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Malta, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Andorra.
