Road to Serbia begins in preliminary round

Newcomers Scotland are among 24 teams kicking off UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 qualifying when the preliminary round runs from Wednesday to Saturday.

The 24 lowest-ranked entrants will compete in six one-venue mini-tournaments, with the group winners and the best runner-up joining 21 others in March's main round, including holders Italy. Scotland will play their first full futsal international against Israel on Wednesday in Group F, held in Skovde. Sweden, who host that group, themselves progressed through this round on their maiden entry two years ago.

Preliminary round: 14–17 January
FIXTURE SCHEDULE
Group A: Greece, Bulgaria*, Denmark, Gibraltar

Group B: Finland, Montenegro*, Cyprus, Wales

Group C: Georgia, Lithuania*, Switzerland, Estonia

Group D: France, Moldova*, Albania, San Marino

Group E: Latvia, England, Andorra, Malta*

Group F: Israel, Armenia, Sweden*, Scotland

*Mini-tournament hosts

• The six group winners plus the best runner-up join the 21 sides given a bye to the main round.

Main round: 18–21 March
Group 1: Russia, Netherlands, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Winner of preliminary round Group E

Group 2: Spain, Hungary, FYR Macedonia*, Best runner-up

Group 3: Italy, Belarus, Poland*, Winner of Group B

Group 4: Ukraine, Azerbaijan*, Belgium, Winner of Group A

Group 5: Czech Republic, Slovenia*, Norway, Winner of Group D

Group 6: Croatia*, Slovakia, Turkey, Winner of Group F

Group 7: Portugal, Romania*, Kazakhstan, Winner of Group C

*Mini-tournament hosts

• The seven group winners will advance to join hosts Serbia in the final tournament from 2–13 February 2016.

•  The seven runners-up plus the best third-placed team will enter the play-offs on 15 and 22 September 2015 (drawn on 10 June). The winners of these four two-legged ties will complete the 12-nation lineup for the finals.