100 per cent record puts England in pot one for Euro draw

Thursday 15 Oct 2015
France as hosts, while Germany, Spain, England, Portugal, Belgium are top seeds

England's perfect record in qualification has secured their place as one of the top seeds in the draw for the Finals of Euro 2016.

Roy Hodgson's men wrapped up their Group E campaign in Lithuania on Monday night with their 10th successive win to take them up to third in UEFA's co-efficient rankings.

And it means they will be in pot one for the draw in Paris on Saturday 12 December, alongside Spain, Germany, Portugal and Belgium.

Euro 2016 Draw - Top Seeds

France - Group A, position 1 as hosts
Spain - Pot 1 as holders
Germany - Pot 1
England - Pot 1
Portugal - Pot 1
Belgium - Pot 1

France, as hosts, are automatically placed in position one in Group A next summer, which means they will not figure in the draw and already know they with play the tournament's opening game at the Stade de France on Friday 10 June.

Wales and Northern Ireland, who will be joining the Three Lions across the channel next summer, will go into pot 4, while England's qualifying rivals Switzerland will be in pot 2.

A total of 15 nations have already guaranteed places at the Finals, with the last nine spots to be filled after next month's play-offs - the draw for which takes place on Sunday.

The Finals will see the 24 teams split into six groups of four, playing at ten venues – Bordeaux, Lens, Lille, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne and Toulouse.

Harry Kane congratulates Ross Barkley on his opener

Harry Kane and Ross Barkley helped England to a 100 per cent record

The six group winners, six group runners-up and the four best third-placed teams will progress to the knockout round of 16, with the Final taking place back where it all began - the Stade de France - on Sunday 10 July.

Before that, though, England have a series of high profile friendlies to prepare for the Finals. 

They face Spain in Alicante on Friday 13 November and their next home game comes four days later at Wembley Stadium against the hosts, France.

That game on Tuesday 17 November is also a Breast Cancer Care International, supporting The FA's official charity partner. To get your tickets for the game, visit www.TheFA.com/tickets.

By FA Staff