The fixtures were announced for Group A of the FIFA World Cup 2014 Qualifiers after today’s meeting in Brussels.

After more then seven hours of negotiation, an agreement has been reached between the six national teams of Group A.  Macedonia starts with two tough road games against Croatia and Scotland.  Then, Macedonia returns home the next month to face the two other Balkan countries in the group, Croatia and Serbia.  In March of 2013, Macedonia will play home and away games against Belgium on 22 and 26 March, respectively.  Macedonia opted not to play any games during June like some other teams in the group.  Later in the year in September, Macedonia hosts Wales, formerly managed by John Toshack, and then the Tartan Army with Scotland before closing the campaign with road encounters against Wales and Serbia.

Here are the complete fixtures for Macedonia:

07.09.2012 Croatia – Macedonia
11.09.2012 Scotland – Macedonia
12.10.2012 Macedonia – Croatia
16.10.2012 Macedonia – Serbia
22.03.2013 Macedonia – Belgium
26.03.2013 Belgium – Macedonia
06.09.2013 Macedonia – Wales
10.09.2013 Macedonia – Scotland
11.10.2013 Wales – Macedonia
15.10.2013 Serbia – Macedonia

All of Macedonia’s home games will be played on the National Arena Philip II of Macedon in Skopje.

‘Maybe some matches were not in our best interest, but it was really difficult to fulfill every wish. That is why I wasn’t insisting on a particular opening match, every team is strong in this group.  The fact is that we will play five home games and five road games so everyone realized that in the end and an agreement was reached’ – stated John Toshack after the meeting in Brussels.

To see the complete schedule, click here.