Wales and Northern Ireland among bottom seeds for Euro 2016

Bale's Wales are among the bottom seeds. Credit: PA

Northern Ireland and Wales must overcome the odds again at Euro 2016 after UEFA confirmed they would be among the bottom seeds in France next summer.

England, as expected, join holders Spain, Portugual, Germany, Belgium and hosts France as top seeds, but the December 12 draw is sure to be tougher on their home nation counterparts.

Northern Ireland won Group F with 21 points but actually have the lowest UEFA co-efficient of any team still involved and, like Wales, will be pulled from Pot Four.

That is because only 40% of the co-efficient rating comes from the recently-concluded qualifying round, with the same again to the 2014 World Cup campaign and the remaining 20% coming from performances on the way to Euro 2012.

Northern Ireland finished fifth in their two previous campaigns, with Wales fourth and fifth.

Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Croatia and Austria take five of the six slots in Pot Two, with Iceland and Albania confirmed in Pot Four.