Good news for Ireland and their chances of qualifying for Euro 2016. UEFA's announced that the winners and runners-up in the nine groups will qualify for the finals in France along with the best third place team. The nine group winners, the nine group runners-up and the best third-placed side will qualify directly for the final tournament. The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest play-offs to determine the last four qualifiers for the finals. France qualify automatically as hosts. As well as changes to the qualification format, Michel Platini wants a ‘week of football’ in which qualifiers are spread across a week. UEFA say games will be scheduled from Thursday to Tuesday.
A statement reads: " Kick-off times will be set mainly at 5pm and 7.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays and 7.45pm for Thursdays, Fridays, Mondays and Tuesdays. On double-header matchweeks, teams will play on Thursday/Sunday, Friday/Monday or Saturday/Tuesday.”
The draw for the qualifiers will take place in Nyon on 23 February.
