France to feature in Euro 2016 qualifying

France will participate in the Euro 2016 qualification process despite being the hosts of the tournament.

According to a rule change by UEFA, Les Bleus will become the first host nation to be part of a European Championship qualification phase.

However, France will be guaranteed a place in the finals and qualifiers played against them will be "centralised friendlies" that will carry no points.

This means that the qualification process for Euro 2016 will have nine groups of six teams, with Gibraltar being in the draw for the first time in history.