England and Scotland were drawn together in Group D on Saturday for the Women’s World Cup in France next summer.

Scotland are making their debut while England are looking to improve on their semi-final showing four years ago.

The clash between the two nations will be the first match for both teams in Nice on June 9, when the England men’s team will also be playing either in the Nations League final or third-place play-off in Portugal.

England also face a rematch against Japan, to whom they suffered a heartbreaking loss in the last four in Canada, while Argentina are the third team in the group.

England boss Phil Neville hailed the Scotland clash as one to be embraced, saying: “It’s a fine looking group we’ve got. We’ve got three teams that will compete against each other in a fabulous way.

“I think the Scotland game will get the most interest — and rightly so — because of the rivalry, which I think is something we all should enjoy and embrace. It shows how far the women’s game has come.”

Scotland reached their first major tournament finals at the European Championship last year and were also drawn in the same group as England.

The clash between the two was not one to remember for the Scots, who lost 6-0, with Jodie Taylor scoring a hat-trick.

Scotland and Manchester City defender Jen Beattie said: “I think it just probably adds to the excitement even more now that we know who’s in our group. England again in the opening game of the tournament, only our second tournament ever.”

Hosts France were placed in Group A along with Norway, Nigeria and South Korea and will play the latter in the opening match of the tournament on June 7 at the Parc des Princes.

Defending champions the United States will take on Sweden, Thailand and Chile in Group F while Germany are in Group B with China, Spain and South Africa.