IFA delight at World Cup draw

The Irish Football Association (IFA) were rubbing their hands in glee at the weekend with the mouth watering prospect of a visit from David Beckham and the England team to Belfast for the World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

Northern Ireland where paired with England and Wales in Group Six of the qualifiers which will also see Poland, Austria and Azerbaijan coming to Windsor Park.

IFA president Jim Boyce described Friday's draw as a "dream come true" for his association and local football fans.

The fixture list will be arranged in January for the qualifiers with the first of these taking place in September 2004.

By then Northern Ireland will have a new manager to replace departed Sammy McIlroy, who must surely be cursing his decision to resign as team manager following the disastrous Euro 2004 qualifiers.

The Republic of Ireland, meanwhile, take on former World Champions France, along with old adversaries Switzerland, as well as Israel, Cyprus and the Faroe Islands in Group Four.

Scotland face Italy, Slovenia, Norway Belarus, and Moldova in Group 5.

Only the eight European group winners and the best two runners-up will qualify for the finals with six other teams taking part in three play-offs.

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