England among top seeds for Euro 2016

UEFA have confirmed that England will be among the top seeds for Euro 2016, while Italy will be in Pot Two and Wales and Northern Ireland will be among the bottom seeds.

UEFA have based their seedings on their country coefficient ranking, which is taken from performances at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup as well as the qualifiers for next year's finals in France.

England are therefore certain to be alongside hosts France, reigning continental champions Spain, World Cup holders Germany, Portugal and Belgium in Pot One when the draw is made in Paris on December 12 for the 24-team finals.

Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria and Croatia will be in Pot Two while Wales, Northern Ireland, Iceland and Albania are certain to be in Pot Four.

The remaining positions will only become known after next month's play-offs to decide the final four qualifiers.

Bosnia, Ukraine, Sweden, Hungary, Denmark, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia will enter the play-off draw on Sunday.

 

POT 1 (top seeds):

France (hosts)

Spain (reigning champions)

Germany

England

Portugal

Belgium

 

POT 2:

Italy

Russia

Switzerland

Austria

Croatia

Czech Republic (to be confirmed pending play-offs)

 

POT 3:

Poland (to be confirmed pending play-offs)

Romania (to be confirmed pending play-offs)

Slovakia (to be confirmed pending play-offs)

Turkey (to be confirmed pending play-offs)

plus two other nations to come through play-offs

 

POT 4:

Iceland

Wales

Albania

Northern Ireland

plus two other nations to come through play-offs
Source: AFP