Euro 2016 draw, Group A: France expected to cruise to knockout stage

France ought to be optimistic about its chances of advancing past the group stage after being lumped into a favourable group ahead of the 2016 European Championship.

Saturday's draw produced a dream scenario for the hosts as France avoided major European powerhouses and was instead grouped with the likes of Romania, Albania, and Switzerland for the first leg of the competition.

While the three teams in France's way managed to put together impressive qualifying campaigns, hopes of progressing will be determined by which country concludes the group stage as runners-up.

Favourite

Didier Deschamps' French team will be one of the strongest outfits compiled since it last hoisted the trophy in 2000, and could very well be capable of sending the home fans into a state of euphoria comparable to the outpouring of emotion when Deschamps captained the country to World Cup glory on home soil in 1998.

However, one of the main obstacles capable of derailing its tournament aspirations are the same issues that have plagued previous editions of the French national team, as distractions off the pitch and conflicts within the team appear to be the only things threatening it.

Fighting for second place

A strong showing during qualifying and an inspiring run at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil should instill confidence in the Swiss national team and see Vladimir Petkovic's men join France in the knockout phase.

Led by Xherdan Shaqiri and a group of players with a wealth of experience playing with each other in the national team, Switzerland appears to be on the verge of successfully getting out of the group for the first time in four attempts.

Best player

In terms of quality, there's a handful of French nationals who stand head and shoulders above the collection of players pitted against them. But few players in the world posses the quality the football world has come to expect from Paul Pogba.

While he's proven to be one of the world's brightest players at the club level with Juventus, Pogba will be expected to put on the type of game-changing performances his predecessors have displayed in past tournaments that ended with wild celebration in the stands.

Honourable mentions: Laurent Koscielny (France), Antoine Griezmann (France)

Must-see match

Switzerland vs. France: If France faces any form of adversity ahead of its final match, a meeting with Switzerland could determine who finishes atop Group A.

Complete group schedule