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Ian Mitchelmore

The best and worst case scenarios for Wales as potential opponents revealed for Euro 2024 qualifying

Eyes are obviously on the World Cup, but in actual fact, the Euro 2024 qualifying draw is also just around the corner.

It takes place at 11am on Sunday, October 9. The top two teams in each group automatically qualify for the tournament - which takes place in Germany.

Following the conclusion of the Nations League regular campaign, the pot numbers for the upcoming Euro draw have been determined. Wales - who were recently relegated from the top tier of the Nations League - will be in pot two for the draw.

They will be alongside the likes of England and France which crucially means they can't face the Three Lions or the 2018 World Cup winners in qualifying for the next Euros. Here's a closer look at who they could be up against.

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Pot numbers

Pot one: Netherlands, Croatia, Spain, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary, Switzerland, Poland.

Pot two: France, Austria, Czech Republic, England, Wales , Israel, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Scotland, Finland.

Pot three: Ukraine, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland, Albania, Montenegro, Romania, Sweden, Armenia.

Pot four: Georgia, Greece, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Luxembourg, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Faroe Islands, North Macedonia.

Pot five: Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Cyprus, Belarus, Lithuania, Gibraltar, Estonia, Latvia, Moldova, Malta.

Pot six: Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein.

Wales will be in either a five-team or a six-team group for Euro 2024 qualifying - which runs from March to November next year while the play-offs take place in March 2024. They will take on each opponent at home and away.

So, taking out the seemingly inevitable pairings with Belgium and Republic of Ireland, what are the best and worst case scenarios for Rob Page's side?

Best case scenario

It's hard to look beyond Hungary, Switzerland and Poland from pot one. Wales have faced each of these sides in recent years and have put up a good fight on each occasion. The Swiss are the best ranked of the three and Hungary have been in sublime form this year.

You could argue Poland would be best, particularly as Wales pushed them so close twice in the Nations League this year, despite being severely under strength in both matches.

As for pot three, at 92nd in the world, Armenia are comfortably the lowest ranked and would be the perfect opponent while in pot four, you'd have to plump for either Faroe Islands, Luxembourg, or Kazakhstan (the former two are significantly shorter away trips which would be a plus while Kazakhstan just won their Nations League group). Azerbaijan are actually the lowest ranked in this pot, although, as Wales saw in Euro 2020 qualifying, they have a steeliness about them.

Pot five consists of sides you'd definitely want to avoid and some you'd be happy to face twice. Gibraltar would be the dream scenario, while in pot six, San Marino - who are the lowest ranked team on the planet - are the obvious choice.

Best case group: Poland, Wales , Armenia, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar (+San Marino if in a six-team group)

Worst case scenario

This is where things could become difficult. Belgium are ranked second in the world, with Brazil in first spot at present although Netherlands were the best performers in the Nations League, collecting 16 of the 18 points on offer. Spain, Italy and Portugal are pretty daunting prospects while Denmark and Croatia will prove formidable. Wales will be underdogs against all of these sides.

In pot three, Ukraine would be a difficult test while Norway have the most lethal goal scorer on the planet in Erling Haaland to call upon. Sweden are actually the highest ranked nation in the pot, although they are in pretty poor form and have just been relegated into League C of the Nations League.

As for pot four, Georgia, Greece and Turkey would all be tricky tests, particularly away from home. The latter are the best ranked and have just topped their Nations League group, although, so did Greece and Georgia.

In pot five, Slovakia - who are ranked 51st in the world by FIFA - are the ones to avoid while Andorra would be the most difficult test from pot six.

Worst case group: Belgium, Wales , Ukraine, Turkey, Slovakia (+Andorra if in a six-team group)

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