Who qualifies?
Along with the hosts, France, the nine group winners and nine runners-up, along with the third-placed side with the best record against the teams first, second, fourth and fifth in their section, qualify directly. The eight remaining third-placed teams will contest play-offs to see who gets the final four berths.
Group A
First place Iceland have qualified
Second place Czech Republic have qualified
Third place Turkey
Can anyone else still qualify? Holland
What’s up for grabs? Turkey, two points ahead of the Holland, will secure a play-off spot on Saturday if they win or draw in the Czech Republic and the Dutch lose in Kazakhstan. Turkey have a superior head-to-head against Holland so four points from their remaining two games would secure third place.
Remaining fixtures
Saturday 10 October Iceland v Latvia, Kazakhstan v Holland, Czech Republic v Turkey
Tuesday 13 October Latvia v Kazakhstan, Holland v Czech Republic, Turkey v Iceland
Group B
First place Wales
Second place Belgium
Third place Israel
Can anyone else still qualify? Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What’s up for grabs? Everything. Wales are assured of a play-off spot at the very least, but can secure automatic qualification by drawing either of their final two games. Belgium are also assured of a play-off spot at worst, but can also secure automatic qualification by beating Andorra. Israel occupy third spot, but could be overtaken by Bosnia and Herzegovina or Cyprus, who are two and four points behind them respectively, with two matches each left to play.
Remaining fixtures
Saturday 10 October Andorra v Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina v Wales, Israel v Cyprus
Tuesday 13 October Belgium v Israel, Cyprus v Bosnia and Herzegovina, Wales v Andorra
Group C
First place Spain
Second place Slovakia
Third place Ukraine
Can anyone else still qualify? No.
What’s up for grabs? The top three sides are all guaranteed a play-off spot at least. Spain and Slovakia can secure automatic qualification with a win apiece.
Remaining fixtures
Friday 9 October Macedonia v Ukraine, Slovakia v Belarus, Spain v Luxembourg
Monday 12 October Belarus v FYR Macedonia, Luxembourg v Slovakia, Ukraine v Spain
Group D
First place Germany
Second place Poland
Third place Republic of Ireland
Can anyone else still qualify? Scotland
What’s up for grabs? Germany are assured of at least a play-off place but will qualify for France 2016 if they avoid defeat in Ireland. Poland can qualify if they beat Scotland and Ireland fail to beat Germany. Scotland must achieve a better result against Poland than Ireland do against Germany to stay in contention for a play-off spot.
Remaining fixtures
Thursday 8 October Georgia v Gibraltar, Republic of Ireland v Germany, Scotland v Poland
Sunday 11 October Germany v Georgia, Gibraltar v Scotland, Poland v Republic of Ireland
Group E
First place England have qualified as group winners
Second place Switzerland
Third place Slovenia
Can anyone else still qualify? Estonia and Lithuania
What’s up for grabs? Slovenia have the head-to-head advantage over Switzerland, despite being behind them in the group, so if they beat Lithuania they will stay in contention for automatic qualification until the final game. If they lose, Estonia would leapfrog them into third place with a win over England on Friday. Switzerland can guarantee second place by taking four points from their matches.
Remaining fixtures
Friday 9 October England v Estonia, Slovenia v Lithuania, Switzerland v San Marino
Monday 12 October Estonia v Switzerland, Lithuania v England, San Marino v Slovenia
Group F
First place Northern Ireland
Second place Romania
Third place Hungary
Can anyone else still qualify? Finland
What’s up for grabs? Victory against Greece or Finland will guarantee qualification for Northern Ireland. If Hungary can make up three points on Romania, they would have the edge on the head-to-head. Finland have three points to make up on Hungary in third place, but are behind them on the head-to-head.
Remaining fixtures
Thursday 8 October Hungary v Faroe Islands, Northern Ireland v Greece, Romania v Finland
Sunday 11 October Faroe Islands v Romania, Finland v Northern Ireland, Greece v Hungary
Group G
First place Austria have already qualified
Second place Russia
Third place Sweden
Can anyone else still qualify? Montenegro
What’s up for grabs? If Russia win in Moldova and both Sweden and Montenegro drop points, they will guarantee qualification. Russia need four points to be certain of second place because their head-to-head record against Sweden is superior. Montenegro are within a point of Sweden in third place, but look to have far tougher remaining fixtures.
Remaining fixtures
Friday 9 October Liechtenstein v Sweden, Moldova v Russia, Montenegro v Austria
Monday 12 October Austria v Liechtenstein, Russia v Montenegro, Sweden v Moldova
Group H
First place Italy
Second place Norway
Third place Croatia
Can anyone else still qualify? No
What’s up for grabs? Italy and Norway are guaranteed to finish in the top three, but the Italians will qualify with a match to spare if, away to Azerbaijan, they equal or better Croatia’s result at home to Bulgaria. Norway are two points ahead of Croatia and will ensure qualification if they beat Malta on Saturday and Croatia do not win. Croatia hold the upper hand against Norway if it comes down to head-to-head.
Remaining fixtures
Saturday 10 October Azerbaijan v Italy, Norway v Malta, Croatia v Bulgaria
Tuesday 13 October Bulgaria v Azerbaijan, Italy v Norway, Malta v Croatia
Group I
First place Portugal
Second place Denmark
Third place Albania
Can anyone else still qualify? No.
What’s up for grabs? In the only five-team qualifying group, the top three are assured of at least a play-off place. A draw for Portugal against Denmark in the first round of fixtures will guarantee them qualification. If Denmark fail to beat Portugal, Albania would move into second place by beating Serbia. If Denmark and Albania finish level, Denmark will benefit from the superior head-to-head. Albania are guaranteed to qualify if they win both their matches.
Remaining fixtures
Thursday 8 October Albania v Serbia, Portugal v Denmark
Sunday 11 October Armenia v Albania, Serbia v Portugal
