Euro 2016 Power Rankings: Host France the favorite in open field

Here's how the 24 teams stack up entering the 2016 European Championship.

Author:
Jonathan Wilson
Publish date:
Jun 6, 2016

Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday with the host France playing against Romania. This feels like a new era for European football. Spain, the winner of the last two Euros, has been toppled and, while it remains a serious contender to win the title, it does not go into the tournament with anything like the same level of expectation as it did four years ago, when it became the first nation successfully to defend the European crown.

Reigning World Cup champion Germany is flawed, England has a young side full of potential and Belgium hopes that its array of stars can at last find a coherence for the national team. This is a tournament without a clear favorite beyond the host, but such has been its habit of self-destruction there can’t be a huge amount of confidence in Didier Deschamps’s side, either.

EURO 2016: Live gamecasts, group standings, rosters

Here's how the 24 teams stack up entering the competition:

1. France

Group Opponents: Albania, Romania, Switzerland

Even without Karim Benzema, left out because of the allegations of his involvement in a blackmail plot against his teammate Mathieu Valbuena, this is a France squad with enormous potential and strength in all positions, although the injuries to Raphael Varane and Jeremy Mathieu and the absence of Mamadou Sakho following his 30-day drug suspension leave it a little short at center back. France has a tendency for squad disharmony, but history suggests playing at home tends to pull it together.

2. Spain

Group Opponents: Croatia, Czech Republic, Turkey

Vicente Del Bosque’s side is not what it was, lacked fluency throughout qualifying and is yet to find a regular striker but it still has enormous strength in depth.

3. Germany

Group Opponents: Northern Ireland, Poland, Ukraine

It’s the world champion, but there are serious doubts about who will play at center forward and about the fullback positions, Defeats in qualifying to Ireland and Poland and in friendlies to England and Slovakia don’t bode well.

4. England

Group Opponents: Russia, Slovakia, Wales

The defense is in shambles, and the rest of the side is highly inexperienced, but the Tottenham core means Roy Hodgson’s side should be able to press, and there is significant attacking prowess. Winning 10 out of 10 in qualifying was not a fluke.

5. Italy

Group Opponents: Belgium, Ireland, Sweden

The squad is ordinary, lacking much in the way of creativity, but Antonio Conte has a knack of getting his team to do just enough.

6. Belgium

Group Opponents: Ireland, Italy, Sweden

Packed with talented players, but short of fullbacks and coherence. The loss of the central defenders Vincent Kompany and Nicholas Lombaerts to injury is a major blow.

7. Austria

Group Opponents: Hungary, Iceland, Portugal

This is the best Austria side in probably 30 years, based around the left-sided triangle of Christian Fuchs, David Alaba and Marko Arnautovic.

8. Poland

Group Opponents: Germany, Northern Ireland, Ukraine

Beat Germany in qualifying and has a well-balanced side spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski, arguably the best European striker.

9. Croatia

Group Opponents: Czech Republic, Turkey, Spain

The midfield is supremely talented, but background political issues within the federation could undermine its chances.

10. Portugal

Group Opponents: Austria, Hungary, Iceland

Still very dependent on Cristiano Ronaldo, who looked unfit in the Champions League final despite converting the decisive penalty kick.

11. Russia

Group Opponents: England, Slovakia, Wales

This squad is aging and without injured playmaker Alan Dzagoev, but Leonid Slutsky has proved an inspirational appointment as coach.

12. Slovakia

Group Opponents: England, Russia, Wales

Beat Spain in qualifying, but then seemed to lose form. A friendly win away to Germany suggests how dangerous Jan Kozak’s side could be.

13. Ukraine

Group Opponents: Germany, Northern Ireland, Poland

Qualified well and in Yevhen Konoplyanka and Andriy Yarmolenko packs a threat out wide, but the goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov’s display against Romania raises concerns.

14. Czech Republic

Group Opponents: Croatia, Spain, Turkey

Pavel Vrba has instilled an attacking style, and his record as a coach is remarkable, but this is a limited squad.

15. Iceland

Group Opponents: Austria, Hungary, Portugal

Well-organized and euphoric after a first qualification, but there's a slight sense its form has waned since making it through a very tough group.

16. Wales

Group Opponents: England, Russia, Slovakia

Much depends on Gareth Bale, but Chris Coleman’s adoption of a back three has given Wales a solidity and provided a platform for the Real Madrid star.

17. Turkey

Group Opponents: Croatia, Czech Republic, Spain

Qualified as the best third-place side, but with a sense of improvement towards the end of the qualifying campaign. Hakan Calhanoglu is a real threat from set plays.

18. Switzerland

Group Opponents: Albania, France, Romania

There’s plenty of attacking talent but under coach Vladimir Petkovic the Swiss have never quite managed the heights it reached under Ottmar Hitzfeld.

19. Republic of Ireland

Group Opponents: Belgium, Italy, Sweden

Likely to be solid but unspectacular, although Shane Long’s prowess on the break should not be underestimated.

20. Northern Ireland

Group Opponents: Germany, Poland, Ukraine

Riding a wave of optimism unknown in 30 years, Michael O’Neill’s squad is far greater than the sum of its parts and if Kyle Lafferty fires, it could upset a more favored team.