UEFA sets early-2014 target for draw

Published Apr. 21, 2011 8:32 a.m. ET

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UEFA says it will draw qualifying groups for the 2016 European Championship in France in February or March 2014.

The target was set at the organizing committee's first meeting Thursday held at French Football Federation headquarters in Paris.

The committee is led by Jacques Lambert, who was personally chosen by UEFA's president and former France playing great Michel Platini.

The pair headed the 1998 World Cup organizing committee for FIFA.

UEFA says a new business model for its flagship international event means it assumes all financial risks instead of the French federation.

French officials must soon propose host cities for the 24-nation tournament.

Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine has just 16 teams.