The path to the first 16-team UEFA Women’s EURO final tournament in the Netherlands begins with a preliminary round and takes in a qualifying group stage and play-offs.
In the preliminary round, two groups of four teams are played as one-venue mini-tournaments between 4 and 9 April 2015. The group winners progress to the qualifying group stage to join the 38 highest-ranked contenders in eight groups of five sides contested between 14 September 2015 and 20 September 2016.
The eight group winners and the six best runners-up then advance to the final tournament, while the other two runners-up go to a play-off from 17–25 October 2016.
Hosts the Netherlands will join the 15…