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Euro 2016: All you need to know about the France showpiece

England line up in Lithuania
Image: England will be aiming for Euro 2016 glory in France next summer

Ahead of the Euro 2016 group draw, here's all you need to know about the tournament in France next summer...

Who has automatically qualified?

WATCH: Road to Euro 2016
WATCH: Road to Euro 2016

As the Home Nations and Ireland plan for Euro 2016, we relive the highs and lows of qualification...

Hosts France were assured of their place without needing to qualify. They'll be joined by the nine winners and nine runners-up of the qualifying groups: Iceland, Czech Republic, Belgium, Wales, Spain, Slovakia, Germany, Poland, England, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Romania, Austria, Russia, Italy, Croatia, Portugal and Albania. Turkey have also automatically qualified as the best third-placed team with 18 points.

Republic of Ireland, Hungary, Sweden and Ukraine will also be there after progressing from the play-offs.

What's the draw? 

England have been drawn alongside Wales, while Northern Ireland will face world champions Germany in their pool and Republic of Ireland face a daunting group including Italy.  

Where will the games take place?

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Matches at Euro 2016 will be split across 10 venues in France, with the final being held at the Stade de France.

The other nine venues being used are: Parc des Princes (Paris), Stade Vélodrome (Marseille), Stade des Lumières (Lyon), Stade Pierre-Mauroy (Lille), Matmut Atlantique (Bordeaux), Stadium Municipal (Toulouse), Stade Bollaert-Delelis (Lens), Allianz Riviera (Nice), Stade Geoffroy-Guichard (Saint-Étienne). 

Republic of Ireland's Euro 2016 matches

What kits will teams be wearing? 

England are yet to unveil their strip for Euro 2016 but plenty of teams have been showing off their new wears. 

Euro 2016 kits
Euro 2016 kits

You can see all the Euro 2016 kits that have been revealed here.

However, the kit chosen by Northern Ireland for their first international tournament since 1986 hasn't gone down well with the fans.

Northern Ireland's first international tournament since 1986 sees them wear this green, white and navy kit, but it hasn't gone down well with the fans.
Image: Northern Ireland's first international tournament since 1986 sees them wear this green, white and navy kit

What ball will be used?

Named Beau Jeu - translated in English as "the beautiful game" - the ball Euro 2016 ball has been manufactured by adidas after 18 months of development.

Adidas say they have taken the best elements of the Brazuca match ball from the 2014 World Cup, and will be officially handed over to all competing federations by the end of November in order to give all players a six-month window to train and play with the ball ahead of the tournament in June.

The Euro 2016 match ball, manufactured by adidas, has been unveiled
Image: The Euro 2016 match ball, manufactured by adidas, has been unveiled

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