Gareth Southgate says he is pleased to have been placed in one of the smaller 2017 UEFA Under-21 qualifying groups.
While seven of the nine groups have six nations, the Three Lions were drawn in the five-team Group 9 alongside Switzerland, Norway, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kazakhstan.
And the England Under-21s boss says it provides an opportunity to broaden his young players' horizons.
"It’s good because we can then have other matches," he told TheFA.com.
"To have some dates free to go and play other teams from around the world will be helpful to their development.
England were drawn in Group 9 at the draw in Nyon, Switzerland
"It means we get the chance to get in some good quality friendly games, so that over the two years the players get a more varied experience."
While Norway and Switzerland are familiar opposition at Under-21 level, Kazakhstan and Bosnia and Herzogovina are less well-known to Southgate's side.
England have never played either at the age group, but Southgate says such statistics are redundant as the standards of teams at Under-21 level can vary from season to season.
"In youth football you’re never certain what is an easy group and what is a difficult group," he added.
"Any team can have a group of special players in any one tournament.
"For us there are some difficult fixtures but that’s always going to be the case in any tournament."
The nine group winners will qualify automatically, with two others going through via play-offs
England begin their campaign on Monday 7 September in Norway, before facing Kazakhstan at home a month later on 13 October.
Their schedule concludes with another home tie – against Bosnia and Herzegovina – on Tuesday 11 October 2016.
The penultimate game – a trip to Kazakhstan on 6 October 2016 – throws up the challenge of playing on an artificial pitch, which is another experience Southgate says will benefit his players.
"We’re used to travelling so it’s not a problem for us," he added.
"With the younger team we’ve not been to Kazakhstan – obviously our seniors have been there.
"To play on the artificial pitch isn’t something we do very often, so it’s good experience for our young players."
England's fixtures in full
Monday 7 September 2015 – Norway (A)
Tuesday 13 October 2015 – Kazakhstan (H)
Thursday 12 November 2015 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (A)
Monday 16 November 2015 – Switzerland (H)
Saturday 26 March 2016 – Switzerland (A)
Tuesday 6 September 2016 – Norway (H)
Thursday 6 October 2016 – Kazakhstan (A)
Tuesday 11 October 2016 – Bosnia and Herzegovina (H)
