Wales learn schedule for World Cup qualifying (From Campaign Series)

“Norway, I don’t think, are as good as they used to be but I’ll need to watch how they get on in the Euro qualifiers”.

Having been handed a spot in pot one of the draw in St Petersburg, as well as a place in the top 10 of the Federation Internationale de Football Association world rankings for the first time, Wales will take their place in World Cup qualifying Group D alongside Austria, Serbia, Republic of Ireland, Moldova and Georgia.

Broadcasters Since the introduction of Uefa’s centralised marketing deal, the lists are done up centrally, with broadcasters very much in mind.

The home game against the Republic of Ireland concludes Wales’ campaign on October 9, 2017.

The scheduling of some of the games within Uefa’s generally week-long programmes of games is not great from a supporter’s point of view, either; in a couple of cases, both the opening and closing games, for instance, are to be played on a Monday evening.

“The Czech Republic are a quality side and they always have stand-out individual talent so those will be tough games”.

In September 2017, Ireland must take on Serbia at home just three days after playing in Georgia.

Wales now sit top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B and Coleman is determined to finish off the job rather than ponder his next move.

Wales, whose only appearance to date at a major worldwide tournament came in the 1958 World Cup, will also face Georgia, Moldova, Austria and familiar foes Serbia.

He believes Ireland boss O’Neill could provide in-form Wales with their biggest test in the group.

“There are easier groups but there are a lot more hard groups as well”, O’Neill said.

“I want to lead this Welsh team to France 2016 then I will concentrate on other things after that”.

O’Neill declined to comment on whether he would still be in charge of the team for the campaign, but he looks set to be. “Like everything else”, he said, “by the time it gets underway again, there’s another year gone”.

“My dad was a Dublin boy himself, it’s a shame he’s not around to see these games, but I’m really looking forward to it”.