Euro 2016 draw: Northern Ireland could face Germany, Italy and Poland during group stage

A look at the best and worst case scenarios for Michael O'Neill's side at today's draw in Paris

Today sees the draw for the group stage of Euro 2016 in which the 24 participating teams will learn who they will face at next summer's tournament.

Among the teams in the draw is Northern Ireland, who are making their first appearance at the finals of a major tournament since the 1986 World Cup.

So what's the best case scenario for Michael O'Neill's side? And what is the worst?

The 24 teams have been divided into four pots based on how they qualified and their tournament play at Euro 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.

• Pot 1: France (hosts), Spain (holders), Germany, England, Portugal, Belgium

• Pot 2: Italy, Russia, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Ukraine

• Pot 3: Czech Republic, Sweden, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary

• Pot 4: Turkey, Republic of Ireland, Iceland, Wales, Albania, Northern Ireland

The draw will see those sides split into six groups of four teams.

The draw takes place at 5pm GMT (GETTY IMAGES)

Best case scenario for Northern Ireland...

Portugal
Ukraine
Slovakia

Worst case scenario for Northern Ireland...

Germany
Italy 
Poland

The good news for all those involved however tough the draw? More teams will progress than exit the tournament at the conclusion of the group phase. Due to the expansion of the tournament from the 16 nations who participated in 2012 to the 24 involved this time around a last-16 knock-out phase has been added. It means just eight teams will be eliminated, with the top two teams going through plus four sides that finished third with the best points tally.

The tournament kicks off on 10 June.