On paper, the Czech Republic are the best of England’s opponents in group A. But that is not saying much in a weak group that includes Bulgaria, Montenegro and Kosovo. Their Fifa ranking of 44 puts them behind Scotland and Morocco. HANG ON, DIDN’T THE CZECH REPUBLIC USED TO BE GOOD? In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Czechs were one of the best national teams in the world, holding second place in the Fifa rankings on a number of occasions.

Source: The Times March 22, 2019 00:03 UTC