What's happening at the Euro 2016 draw?

12 December 2015 04:35

The Euro 2016 draw takes place in Paris this evening with England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland among 24 nations waiting to discover their fate.

Here, Press Association's Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler answers the key questions about the event:

So, Michel Platini will not be at the Euro 2016 draw in Paris?

No - the Frenchman's hopes of watching the draw for the tournament in his home country take place have been dashed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport which has upheld FIFA's provisional suspension.

Is Mrs Platini coming to the draw?

That is the mystery question. There have been reports that she has picked up accreditation for the draw, but UEFA sources say that is not the case.

What about the actual football - is it right that England could face some opposition from close to home?

Correct. England are among the six top seeds so they could be drawn in the same group as Wales, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, who are all among the pot of bottom seeds.

Hang on - I thought Wales were top seeds for the recent World Cup draw?

Correct again. FIFA uses its ranking system while UEFA has its own co-efficient - and unfortunately for Wales they do not do so well in the latter system.

What time does the draw take place?

It starts at 5pm GMT on Saturday.

What's a dream draw for England?

England, Austria, Hungary and Albania would appear pretty straightforward.

What is the French for group of death?

Groupe de la mort - England, Italy, Sweden and Wales would look pretty fatal to Roy Hodgson's dreams of glory.

Source: PA-WIRE