The Euro 2016 draw is today at 17.00 GMT and Italy risk an extremely tough group in France next summer.
The tournament begins in earnest this afternoon when the draw is performed in Paris.
Italy are in Pot 2, so will be paired with one of the seeded teams.
Those in Pot 1 are hosts France, holders Spain – who beat the Azzurri in the 2012 Final – World Cup winners Germany, England, Portugal and FIFA World Ranking number one side Belgium.
The Euro 2016 draw is today at 17.00 GMT and Italy risk an extremely tough group in France next summer.
The tournament begins in earnest this afternoon when the draw is performed in Paris.
Italy are in Pot 2, so will be paired with one of the seeded teams.
Those in Pot 1 are hosts France, holders Spain – who beat the Azzurri in the 2012 Final – World Cup winners Germany, England, Portugal and FIFA World Ranking number one side Belgium.
Among the most dangerous potential opponents for Italy in the other Pots are Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden, Robert Lewandowski’s surprising Poland, Turkey or Wales.
Albania are in Pot 4 thanks to their historic qualification, achieved with Italian Coach Gianni De Biasi.
Ruud Gullit, Bixente Lizarazu, Olivier Bierhoff, Angelos Charisteas, Antonin Panenka, David Trezeguet and Vicente del Bosque will be taking part in the draw in Palais de Congres convention centre in Paris.
Pot 1
France, Spain, Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium
Pot 2
Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine
Pot 3
Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary
Pot 4
Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland