Euro 2020 draw: England in Group D with Croatia and Czech Republic

Group F emerges as 'group of death' with Portugal, France and Germany clubbed together

Spaniard Iker Casillas, right, and Germany's Philipp Lahm during the UEFA Euro 2020 final draw in Bucharest. AFP

England were drawn alongside Croatia and Czech Republic in Group D of Euro 2020 on Saturday.

England will face Croatia, the 2018 World Cup runners-up, in their opening match at Wembley.

But the highlight of the draw ceremony in Bucharest was Group F, which includes reigning European champions Portugal, current world champions France and 2014 world champions Germany.

Four spots are still vacant, which will be up for grabs during the play-offs next March.

The Euro 2020 is set to be staged across 12 countries. Wembley will be the main venue for the tournament, hosting seven games including the semi-finals and final on July 12.

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate said his team are now considered a threat at major competitions, which was not the case earlier.

Southgate, 48, said the progress made by the Three Lions make them serious contenders to become European champions next year.

Southgate has put his weight behind a young bunch of players and the tactic has paid off.

England made it all the way to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, before reaching the last four of the inaugural Nations League and topping their Euro 2020 qualifying group.

"I think we've gained some respect, and I think people would view us as a threat which certainly wasn't the case ahead of Russia," Southgate said before the Euro 2020 draw on Saturday.

"We also know we have got to improve to another level. It's hard to assess exactly where we are after this qualifying campaign."