Italy will kick off its 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign at Bulgaria on Sept. 7 and Denmark will host the Czech Republic a day later in Group B.

Malta will face Armenia at home in the group opener on Sept 7.

Representatives of the six Group B teams agreed on the qualifying schedule at their meeting in Prague.

Of the nine European groups, the winners directly qualify for the World Cup in Brazil. The best eight runner-ups will advance to the playoffs.

Italy, seeking its fifth world title, will travel to the Czech Republic on June 8, 2013, while it will host the Czechs on Sept. 10 that year and will also play Denmark at home and away Oct. 16, 2012, and Oct. 11, 2013, in the toughest qualifying games of the group.