The 2016 UEFA European Football Championship, commonly referred to as UEFA Euro 2016 or simply Euro 2016, was the 15th UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men's football championship of Europe organised by UEFA. It was held in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016. Spain were the two-time defending champions, having won the 2008 and 2012 tournaments, but were eliminated in the round of 16 by Italy. Portugal won the tournament for the first time, following a 1–0 victory after extra time over the host team, France, in the final played at the Stade de France.
Russia have participated in twelve UEFA European Championships, the second-most among all participants of the Euro after Germany, five of which were as the Soviet Union and one of which was representing the CIS. As the Soviet Union, their best performance was becoming champions in the inaugural 1960 edition in France, while their best performance as Russia came in the 2008 tournament held in Austria and Switzerland, when they reached the semi-finals.
The UEFA European Championship is one of the major competitive international football tournaments, first played in 1960. The finals stage of the tournament takes place every four years, with a qualifying competition beforehand. The sixteenth tournament was held across Europe in 2021.
The UEFA European Championship is the main football competition of the men's national football teams governed by UEFA. Held every four years since 1960, in the even-numbered year between World Cup tournaments, it was originally called the UEFA European Nations Cup, changing to the current name in 1968. Starting with the 1996 tournament, specific championships are often referred to in the form "Euro 2008" or whichever year is appropriate. Prior to entering the tournament all teams other than the host nations compete in a qualifying process.
Italy have participated in ten UEFA European Championships, and reached the final on four occasions. They became champions as hosts in 1968, the first European Championship they qualified for, and finished as runners-up in 2000 and 2012, before winning their second continental championship at Euro 2020.
Turkey have participated at five UEFA European Championships so far, with an upcoming sixth appearance in 2024 and seventh appearance in 2032 as co-host; the first finals they qualified for was Euro 1996. Their best European performance to date was reaching the semi-finals in 2008, after winning their quarter-final match against Croatia on penalties.
As the Czech Republic is considered to be the successor team of Czechoslovakia by FIFA and UEFA, they have participated in ten UEFA European Championships; three of which were as Czechoslovakia and seven of which were as the Czech Republic, as well as an upcoming eighth appearance in 2024. As Czechoslovakia, they became European champions in 1976. As the Czech Republic, they have qualified for every European Championship that they have played qualifiers for, and were runners-up at Euro 1996.
As of 2023, Switzerland have appeared at five UEFA European Championships, between 1996 and 2020, with an upcoming sixth appearance in 2024. They have advanced past the first round twice, reaching the last 16 in 2016 and the quarter-finals in 2020 for the first time, before being eliminated by Spain on penalties following a 1–1 draw after extra time.
Slovakia has qualified three times as an independent nation for a UEFA European Championship since the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and its national team in 1993, the first time being the 2016 edition, and again in the following Euro 2020 and Euro 2024 tournaments. They directly qualified in 2016 after finishing second in their qualifying group. For the draw of the end stage that took place on 12 December 2015, they were seeded in Pot 3.
Group A of UEFA Euro 2016 contained France, Romania, debutant Albania and Switzerland. France was the only former European champion in this group, having won the championship two times. Matches were played from 10 to 19 June 2016.
Group E of UEFA Euro 2016 contained Belgium, Italy, Republic of Ireland and Sweden. Italy was the only former European champion in this group, having won in 1968. Matches were played from 13 to 22 June 2016.
Group F of UEFA Euro 2016 contained Portugal, Iceland, Austria, and Hungary. It is Iceland's first appearance at the finals. Matches were played from 14 to 22 June 2016.
Group C of UEFA Euro 2016 contained Germany, Ukraine, Poland and Northern Ireland. Germany was the only former European champion in this group, having won the championship three times. Matches were played from 12 to 21 June 2016.
Group D of UEFA Euro 2016 contained defending European champion Spain, Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia. This Euro 2016 group was the only with two former European champions – Spain and Czech Republic. Matches were played from 12 to 21 June 2016.
The knockout phase of UEFA Euro 2016 began on 25 June 2016 and ended on 10 July 2016 with the final in Saint-Denis, France, near Paris.
Group A of UEFA Euro 2020 took place from 11 to 20 June 2021 in Baku's Olympic Stadium and Rome's Stadio Olimpico. The group contained Turkey, host nation and eventual champions Italy, Wales and Switzerland.
Group B of UEFA Euro 2020 took place from 12 to 21 June 2021 in Copenhagen's Parken Stadium and Saint Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium. The group contained host nation Denmark, Finland, Belgium and host nation Russia. The head-to-head match between the hosts took place at Denmark's Parken Stadium.
Group E of UEFA Euro 2020 took place from 14 to 23 June 2021 in Saint Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium and Seville's La Cartuja. The group contained host nation Spain, Sweden, Poland and Slovakia.
Group F of UEFA Euro 2020 took place from 15 to 23 June 2021 in Budapest's Puskás Aréna and Munich's Allianz Arena. The group contained host nations Hungary and Germany, defending champions Portugal and world champions France.
The knockout phase of UEFA Euro 2020 began on 26 June 2021 with the round of 16 and ended on 11 July 2021 with the final at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
England 
Russia [nb 2] 
Wales 
Slovakia [nb 3] 
