Hosts England will face Israel at Under-17 European Football Championship

Hosts England will face Israel, Italy and Switzerland at the Under-17 European Championship next month.

The draw for the 16-team tournament took place at St George’s Park on Thursday, with former Three Lions captain Wayne Rooney drawing the balls alongside John Delaney, chairman of the UEFA youth and amateur football committee.

World Cup winners England finished runners-up in last year’s edition in Croatia, defeated by Spain in a penalty shootout.

Steve Cooper’s side will take part in the Group A curtain-raiser against Israel at Chesterfield on May 4, with all group fixtures wrapped up by May 11 and the final, at Rotherham’s New York Stadium, taking place nine days later.

Cooper was content with the identity of England’s initial opponents but told Press Association Sport the tournament represents a leap into the unknown for most of those taking part. “We’re excited about the games, Italy is the most well known but we’re looking forward to Israel and Switzerland too,” he said.

Listen to the Jewish Views Podcast