Some of the top European nations were high-profile failures at the World Cup and will have a substantial point to prove. Those teams which performed well in Brazil will seek to pick up where they left off, while the nations that fell narrowly short of a trip to South America in June will hope to cross the finish line this time around.
With two teams guaranteed to emerge from each group, plus five third-place finishers, the prospects of qualification have dramatically increased for a number of nations. The action gets underway this Sunday and, from next month onward, football fans can enjoy a nicely-staggered feast of games thanks to UEFA's 'Week of Football', which for double-header weeks will ensure live games for six consecutive days.
GROUP 1
The bronze medallists from the World Cup top the billing here, with an emerging nation hoping to make it to another play-off and two enigmatic sides seeking to improve their ailing fortunes.
Fresh from an unexpected third place finish in Brazil, Netherlands will be the clear favourites to win this group with games to spare. Louis van Gaal is no longer in charge, although another wily Dutchman in Guus Hiddink has taken the reins. The ex-Chelsea boss has some magnificent young talent to work with, as well as potent attacking veterans Arjen Robben and Robin van Persie. They won't have any difficulty in qualifying.
Iceland were the surprise name in the European play-offs for the 2014 World Cup, even if they did make the most of being in the confederation's easiest group. The island nation held Croatia to a draw in Reykjavik before losing the return leg and will be most encouraged by that qualifying campaign. The question now is whether they can build on that near miss, like Bosnia have done, or simply be a one-hit wonder who missed their big opportunity a la Estonia in Euro 2012.
Czech Republic and Turkey would have been bitterly disappointed to have missed out on the play-offs for Brazil, particularly given recent successes at the European Championships. Both have been semi-finalists in the past decade, although the Czechs had an especially gifted pool of players at the time, most of whom have now retired. Turkey haven't appeared at a major tournament since reaching the last four of Euro 2008, although they have some decent prospects making a name for themselves at clubs like Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, as well as in the Bundesliga. They look the best bet to come second, with the Czechs possibly having to settle for the play-offs.
For as long as Latvia continue to struggle in qualifiers, their sole tournament appearance at Euro 2004 will be mentioned. That fairytale summer is now a speck in the distance and there is nothing to suggest that they will repeat those heroics any time soon.
Kazakhstan will be regarded as the group outsiders, but having now played in UEFA qualifiers for 10 years, they have improved considerably and the cliche of being a tricky place for teams to visit rings true in their case. Their objective will be to avoid finishing bottom, a modest ambition but not a far-fetched one.
Prediction: 1st Netherlands, 2nd Turkey, 3rd Czech Rep, 4th Iceland, 5th Latvia, 6th Kazakhstan
GROUP 2
Group 2 features a World Cup quarter-finalist, a team that blew hot and cold in Brazil and the world's most expensive footballer.
Belgium came into the World Cup with lofty expectations and did not disappoint, reaching the last eight as their stellar names lived up to their billing. The focus will be on Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku and Vincent Kompany, while youngsters Divock Origi and Adnan Januzaj could definitively display the full range of their talents. The Diables Rouge should easily qualify for their first European finals since they were co-hosts in 2000.
Bosnia-Herzegovina made history by reaching their first major tournament when qualifying for this summer's World Cup. They lost their first two games before a belated win over Iran, although they will take huge positives from the experience. The generation of Edin Dzeko, Miralem Pjanic and Vedad Ibisevic still has plenty of mileage to run and the Bosnians are well capable of the top two finish that will ensure a debut appearance at the European Championships.
Wales have yet to play in the European finals, coming closest in 2004 when they lost in the play-offs to Russia, but they may fancy their chances of getting to France. The expansion to 24 teams is suited to improving nations such as the Welsh, who with Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey on board can realistically target third place, which will now bring with it a play-off.
Israel will have similar ambitions, having proven to be a party pooper for several high-profile European sides, and will most likely battle it out with Wales for third.
Cyprus has made great strides at club level in UEFA competitions, but the country's national team has found success of note very hard to come by and probably won't feature prominently at the business end of proceedings, while the amateurs of Andorra will again attempt to emerge with just the odd result or two.
Prediction: 1st Belgium, 2nd Bosnia, 3rd Wales, 4th Israel, 5th Cyprus, 6th Andorra
GROUP 3
On the face of it, a three-tier group with two teams that should qualify, two who almost certainly won't and two more who will vie for a play-off berth.
Holders Spain already possess the distinction of being the first team to successfully defend their European title, although they begin their quest for a third consecutive triumph on the back of a nightmare World Cup. Iker Casillas, Xabi Alonso and Xavi have all retired since the Brazil anti-climax while Euro 2016 may be a last hurrah for Andres Iniesta and David Villa. The likes of Sergio Ramos and Cesc Fabregas will now be expected to carry the team, while Diego Costa will feature in his first qualifying campaign with the Spaniards, having been a late entry to the set-up prior to the World Cup.
Ukraine started well on home soil in Euro 2012 before two defeats ended their campaign in the group stage. They had a similar tale in their World Cup play-off against France, winning the first leg before falling to pieces in Paris. Despite lacking a star turn in the mould of an Andriy Shevchenko in his peak, the Ukrainians are a well-rounded side and their footballers could bring some much-needed good news to this troubled nation.
Belarus have yet to feature in a major tournament but their underage teams have performed impressively in continental competitions, as well as BATE Borisov reaching the Champions League for a fourth time. Former talisman Alexander Hleb has retired but BATE playmaker Vitaliy Rodionov has emerged as a key man for the Belarusians, who will aim for third place in the group.
That is also the objective for Slovakia, who have failed to build upon their very impressive showing at the 2010 World Cup. The stars of that summer have either moved on or gone into decline and the promise of Vladimir Weiss, Miroslav Stoch and Marek Hamsik has not come to the fruition that many expected. Even a play-off appearance could be beyond them.
Macedonia will again hope to take a few points at home against their group rivals in the knowledge that a serious crack at qualification is out of reach, while Luxembourg's sole purpose is to try and pick up a couple of points here and there.
Prediction: 1st Spain, 2nd Ukraine, 3rd Belarus, 4th Slovakia, 5th Macedonia, 6th Luxembourg
GROUP 4
And now we come to Ireland's group - one which features the new world champions. Oh lovely.
No prizes for identifying the standout name in Group 4 - Germany will be the team to beat for everyone else after lifting a fourth world title in July. Joachim Low's young side had come close to major honours in recent years before finally coming out on top in Brazil. While captain Philipp Lahm retired, the remainder of the World Cup-winning side is still in place and, to be blunt, they could probably select a second-choice team in the qualifiers and win this group by several points.
Republic of Ireland go into their first campaign under the management of Martin O'Neill, who will seek to banish the (mostly) depressing memories of the Giovanni Trapattoni era. The Irish have been on a downward spiral since qualifying for Euro 2012 and, while things look slightly more encouraging under O'Neill, we could still face a battle just to get into the top three. Second will be fantastic, fourth would be a huge letdown, third would be my prediction.
Poland disappointed as co-hosts of Euro 2012 and failed to make it to the World Cup, so they will not lack for motivation as this campaign kicks off. They will probably slug it out with us to nab the second automatic place behind Germany, but the star attractions of Robert Lewandowski and Jakub Blaszczykowski offer the top level experience at club level that we don't have. That could count massively in their favour as they aim to reach a third successive European Championships.
Scotland will also believe they stand a fighting chance of ending this campaign in with a shout of reaching the finals. Gordon Strachan has restored the dogged spirit that had deserted the Scots prior to his stewardship and this may represent their best chance of qualifying for a tournament since they almost got to Euro 2008. Coincidentally, the last time they played in a top competition was the 1998 World Cup in France. They might run Poland and Ireland close for the qualification places but fall just short.
Georgia will be reliant on picking up points in Tbilisi as they are not good enough to really threaten for third place, while an inaugural qualification run for Gibraltar is likely to provide them with a rude awakening to top level international football.
Prediction: 1st Germany, 2nd Poland, 3rd Ireland, 4th Scotland, 5th Georgia, 6th Gibraltar
GROUP 5
One of Europe's big name casualties at the World Cup will hope to take advantage of a comparatively easy group to restore some much-needed confidence.
England were dismal in Brazil, managing just a solitary point from three games, although manager Roy Hodgson remains in place, as does most of the squad from the summer. Captain Steven Gerrard has retired, with Wayne Rooney taking the armband, and with many much-touted youngsters ultimately disappointing in the Three Lions shirt, the latest 'wonderkid' hoping to avoid that fate is Raheem Sterling. Even at the age of 19, the Liverpool teenager is developing into a key player for his country and he and his team-mates will almost certainly get a shot at redemption in France in 2016.
Switzerland actually went further at the World Cup than the English, bowing out to Argentina after extra time in the last 16. For many years a functional, uninspiring outfit, the Swiss have suddenly become a much more entertaining team to watch, thanks to the flair of young stars like Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka. They are also strong at the back, apart from their 5-2 demolition by France in June, and look well primed to qualify automatically for the Euros.
Slovenia would have been the third seeds that many would have wanted, although they don't appear to have much competition for the play-off spot they are expected to seal. They can occasionally get one over on a bigger name, and do have some handy operators in Andraz Kirm, Nejc Pecnik and Rene Krhin, but third place is their most probable fate.
Estonia reached the play-offs in the qualifiers for the last European Championships, only to be soundly beaten by an Ireland team that flopped at the tournament, and were never likely to threaten for a first World Cup finals appearance in Brazil. There is an outside chance of them getting third but Slovenia look the stronger side. If anything, the Estonians could be left trying to finish ahead of Baltic neighbours Lithuania, for whom noteworthy results have been at a premium in two decades of international football.
Propping up the rear will be San Marino, the perennial punching bag for the other teams they face in qualification groups.
Prediction: 1st England, 2nd Switzerland, 3rd Slovenia, 4th Estonia, 5th Lithuania, 6th San Marino
GROUP 6
A lack of Hollywood names in this group, although the top seeds made it to the last 16 of the World Cup, only bowing out on penalties.
That team was Greece, who won this tournament 10 years ago and, while not coming close to doing so again, have been consistent qualifiers for the big competitions since then. One hallmark of Greek sides since 2004, aside from the reputation for mind-numbing caution, is their ability to eke out results when most needed and least expected. They enter this group as favourites, a tag that doesn't always sit well with them, but it would constitute a huge surprise if they didn't qualify automatically for Euro 2016.
Romania were beaten in the World Cup play-offs and they will get a quick shot at revenge as it was Greece who denied them a trip to Brazil. They haven't appeared at a major tournament since Euro 2008, but the expansion of the finals to 24 teams was made for middle-ranked nations such as them to book their place at the big party. Although they don't have a star turn in the mould of Gheorghe Hagi to call upon, they operate effectively as a unit and should make it to a fourth European finals out of six.
Hungary, though, might have something to say about that. The Magyars have fallen a long way since their 1950s peak, although gradual improvement in recent years has boosted confidence that they can get to a first major finals in three decades. Like Romania, they lack an inspirational talisman, instead relying on all 11 players to spread the workload evenly. A play-off position is the minimum target.
Third place will also be on the minds of Finland and Northern Ireland, although that owes primarily to the relative weakness of this group as neither of those teams has uprooted any trees in recent campaigns and, even with the expanded tournament, a play-off seems to be beyond them.
Faroe Islands won't be in contention, although they are gaining a reputation for causing major headaches to top European sides and even picking up the occasional victory over complacent mid-ranking opposition.
Prediction: 1st Greece, 2nd Romania, 3rd Hungary, 4th Finland, 5th Northern Ireland, 6th Faroe Islands
GROUP 7
Group 7 is another of those which has two clear favourites to qualify automatically, two sides challenging for the play-offs and a duet of teams with little hope of achieving anything.
Not for the first time, Russia were an absolute mess at a major tournament this summer, taking just two points from three games at a wretched World Cup for them. The highly-paid Fabio Capello has somehow managed to hold on to his job as coach while players such as Igor Akinfeev, Alan Dzagoev and Alexander Kerzhakov know they need strong performances to win over the disillusioned Russian public.
Sweden didn't make it to Brazil but they look a more rounded team than the Russians. Veteran maestro Zlatan Ibrahimovic has continued to his country's cause for another campaign and, even at 33, his magic shows no sign of waning. He tends to be the focus for the opposition, which allows gifted players like Rasmus Elm, Ola Toivonen, Sebastian Larsson and Alexander Kacaniklic to prosper under the radar. If I was to have a flutter on it, I'd back the Swedes to top this group.
Austria proved to be trickier opponents than expected in the World Cup qualifiers, as Ireland found out the hard way in Dublin and Vienna last year. Powered by young star David Alaba, the Austrians pushed Sweden all the way for second place in that qualifying group and will have their sights set on doing so again.
They will have to watch out, though, for Montenegro in the hunt for third spot. The former Yugoslav republic memorably reached the play-offs in Euro 2012 qualification and weren't far away from doing so for this year's World Cup. The main man is Man City's Stevan Jovetic, but he is ably assisted by experienced goalpoacher Mirko Vucinic up top. The Montenegrins could nip in for another crack at the play-offs.
Moldova have generally been an unknown quantity since their return to the international fold in the mid-1990s, having never so much as made it to a play-off or taking a big-name scalp, and that status is unlikely to change in the months ahead. If anything, bottom seeds Liechtenstein have pulled off more eye-catching results, although the miniscule playing pool from which they can choose makes them little more than pesky wasps to be swatted aside.
Prediction: 1st Sweden, 2nd Russia, 3rd Montenegro, 4th Austria, 5th Moldova, 6th Liechtenstein
GROUP 8
Two teams who had a disappointing World Cup top the billing in Group 8, which may also feature one of the most precocious teenage talents in Europe.
2012 runners-up Italy have a point to prove after their implosion in Brazil, with Antonio Conte taking over the coaching reins from Cesare Prandelli. Another man with a score to settle from the summer is Mario Balotelli, who remains frustratingly inconsistent at this level. With no particularly classy young stars coming through, much will again depend on wily old stagers Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo. The Azzurri will qualify; it's what they do in France that will determine Conte's fate.
Croatia showed glimpses of their quality at the World Cup but fell apart in the crunch tie against Mexico. Coach Niko Kovac will target nothing less than automatic qualifiation for the European finals, an objective that they should meet with little fuss. Keep an eye out for young prospects Mateo Kovacic (20) and Alen Halilovic (18).
Norway have had some lean years after an unprecedented era of success in the 1990s, although there are signs of a possible revival. They almost got into the World Cup play-offs and the expansion for 2016 has given them every chance of finishing at least third in this group. They have a hungry young side and there is plenty of hype over 15-year-old Martin Odegaard, who has been linked with Europe's biggest clubs and, incredibly, was born a year after Gianluigi Buffon made his Italy debut.
Like the Norwegians, Bulgaria came to prominence two decades ago before falling back into the wilderness. Unlike the Norwegians, their relative anonymity looks set to continue for another couple of years. There is a gaping lack of star quality in the Bulgarian national team, although some of the stars of the Ludogorets Razgrad side that qualified for the Champions League could also make a name for themselves in their country's colours. Even a play-off position seems an optimistic target, however.
The other sides in the group, Azerbaijan and Malta, will be mainly concerned with avoiding the wooden spoon, hoping they don't get pummelled by the leaders and cheekily eyeing up the occasional shock result.
Prediction: 1st Italy, 2nd Croatia, 3rd Norway, 4th Bulgaria, 5th Azerbaijan, 6th Malta
GROUP 9
The only five-team group in the qualifiers has the reigning Ballon D'Or winner as its main actor, with an unspectacular supporting cast.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal endured a miserable World Cup, a late win over Ghana not enough to save face or stave off a group stage exit. Their dependence on the Real Madrid man is worryingly massive, with several players in the side lacking the strength of character to make their stamp on proceedings. They will do enough to qualify for the finals, but they will need to show a lot more in 2016 to repeat their semi-final showing from the last European tournament.
Denmark narrowly missed out on the World Cup play-offs, although they will remember how they snuck in ahead of Portugal to qualify automatically for Euro 2012 and will be cautiously optimistic about finishing ahead of them again. Star man Christian Eriksen is now coming into the best years of his career, even though he is in a similar position with Tottenham of being the one true genius in a decent but flaky side. The Danes should finish in the top two, which will ensure their presence at a sixth European finals out of seven.
Their main threat to automatic qualification will be Serbia, who have been mostly disappointing in the eight years since splitting from Montenegro. Dick Advocaat's squad features several names from the Premier League, such as Branislav Ivanovic, Alexander Kolarov, Nemanja Matic, Dusan Tadic and Lazar Markovic, although inspirational defender Nemanja Vidic has retired from international duty. They will aim for a top two finish, but third place and the play-offs might be more realistic.
Armenia and Borussia Dortmund's Henrikh Mkhitaryan came close to making the play-offs for Euro 2012, but even with the increase to a 24-team finals, that looks beyond their reach this time, while Albania will limit their ambition to picking up a win or two at home and possibly taking results from their more illustrious opponents.
Prediction: 1st Portugal, 2nd Denmark, 3rd Serbia, 4th Armenia, 5th Albania
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