Skip to content

Euro 2016: How the British Isles nations are faring on the road to next summer's tournament

Scotland's manager Gordon Strachan (C) and Republic of Ireland's manager Martin O'Neill (L) vie for the ball as Republic of Ireland's assistant manager Roy

The European Championship qualifying campaign is back under way and here's a reminder of just where each team from the British Isles stands in their bid to reach Euro 2016.

Matchday 7 could go a long way towards deciding whether the likes of England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland all take their place at the Euros next June and July.

However, with the previous round of matches taking place following the end to last season, here is a quick reminder of exactly where all five sides currently sit in their standings heading into this week's double-headers...

Wales' midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates his goal during the Euro 2016 qualifying football match between Israel
Image: Gareth Bale and Wales currently lead Group B as they seek to qualify for the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1958

Group B: Wales
Position: 1st
Played: 7
Points: 17
State of play: 3 points ahead of second-placed Belgium
Matchday 7 fixture: Cyprus (a) - won 1-0

Chris Coleman's team travelled to the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Thursday night sitting pretty at the top of Group B having not lost a match so far.

Cyprus covered
Cyprus covered

Learn more about Wales' opponents Cyprus in our 'Euro first-timers?' feature...

Fourth-placed Cyprus, who are five points behind their visitors, can be tricky opponents to beat on their own patch but a win in Cyprus followed by three more points at home to third-in-the-table Israel on Sunday afternoon would see Wales qualify for the finals of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1958 World Cup.

Gareth Bale proved the hero in a balmy night in Nicosia, heading a lone goal eight minutes from time that leaves Chris Coleman's side just one win away...

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Wales manager Chris Coleman says his players haven't discussed potential qualification for Euro 2016 yet

Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Scotland's Matt Ritchie celebrates after scoring
Image: Matt Ritchie and Scotland are facing two key Group D qualifiers against Georgia and Germany

Group D: Scotland
Position: 3rd
Played: 6
Points: 11
State of play: 3 points behind leaders Poland
Matchday 7 fixture: Georgia (a)

Scotland cannot afford any slip-ups against Georgia in their Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday afternoon if they want to keep pace with both Poland and second-placed Germany on the road to next summer's tournament.

Georgia, who currently sit second bottom of the section, head into this encounter having lost their previous three Group D fixtures, while Kahkaber Tshkadadze's side have also not won a competitive match at home for three years.

But with Germany hosting Poland on Friday night, a win in Tbilisi could see the Scots in one of the automatic qualifying places heading into their Matchday 8 encounter at home to the world champions on Monday evening.

Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Republic of Ireland's Robbie Keane celebrates scoring his side's first goal during the International Friendly at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland.
Image: Robbie Keane and the Republic of Ireland cannot afford to drop points against Gibraltar on Friday

Group D: Republic of Ireland
Position: 4th
Played: 6
Points: 9
State of play: 2 points behind third-placed Scotland
Matchday 7 fixture: Gibraltar (a)

The Republic of Ireland visit bottom-of-the-table Gibraltar on Friday evening knowing that nothing but a win will do if they want to maintain their hopes of qualifying automatically for next summer's tournament in France.

Martin O'Neill's team will expect to collect maximum points against a side who have lost all six of their Group D encounters so far, conceding 34 goals and scoring just once in the process.

And with the top two in the section, Poland and Germany, both meeting in Frankfurt that same night, things could be looking much brighter for the Republic come the full-time whistle at the Estadio Algarve.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Gibraltar will be big underdogs when they host the Republic of Ireland on Friday but Martin O'Neill is still aware of the threat they can cause

Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

TALLINN, ESTONIA - OCTOBER 12:  The England team pose for the cameras prior to kickoff during the EURO 2016 Qualifier match between Estonia and England at
Image: England are on the verge of sealing qualification to next summer's European championship in France

Group E: England
Position: 1st
Played: 6
Points: 18
State of play: 6 points clear of second-placed Switzerland
Matchday 7 fixture: San Marino (a)

If England beat minnows San Marino and third-in-the-table Slovenia fail to win at second-placed Switzerland later on Saturday night, then Roy Hodgson's men will have qualified for France 2016 with three games still to spare.

Either way, the very least the Three Lions are assured of is a third-place finish in Group E, and with it a spot in November's two-legged playoffs.

All in all then, it could be an afternoon of great celebrations in Serravalle on Saturday should the visitors make it seven qualifying victories in a row, with captain Wayne Rooney seeking the goal he needs to draw level with Sir Bobby Charlton as England's all-time record goal scorer.

Euro 2016 Qualifiers

Northern Ireland forward Jamie Ward celebrates after scoring a goal during UEFA Euro 2016 Group F qualifying football match v Greece in Piraeus, Athens
Image: Jamie Ward and Northern Ireland are hoping to qualify for the finals of a major international tournament for the first time since the 1986 World Cup

Group F: Northern Ireland
Position: 2nd
Played: 6
Points: 13
State of play: 3 points behind leaders Romania
Matchday 7 fixture: Faroe Islands (a)

Northern Ireland travel to fourth-placed Faroe Islands on Friday night looking to maintain their impressive form to date in Group F as they try to take part in their first-ever European championships.

Michael O'Neill's side head into this contest with a slender two-point lead over third-placed Hungary, who entertain leaders Romania on the same evening.

However, if the top two teams both record wins, then the Irish will have opened up a five-point advantage over Hungary with just three qualifiers left to play; the next two of which are at home, starting with the visit of Hungary to Belfast on Monday evening.

Live Euro 2016 Qualifiers

You can watch Wales, Scotland, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland's Euro 2016 Matchday 7 qualifiers live on Sky Sports on Thursday and Friday, and you can catch highlights of San Marino v England on Sky Sports 5 HD on Saturday at 10pm.

Get a Sky Sports Week Pass
Get a Sky Sports Week Pass

Don't miss the European Qualifiers. Watch live on NOW TV from £6.99. No contract.

Around Sky