It means there's a change in how it pans out in the latter stages

This year's tournament contains an expanded 24 teams for the first time

After weeks, months and even years of waiting, the 2016 European Championship finally gets underway in Paris on Friday night as hosts France take on Romania.

And one of the first things you will notice about this edition of the tournament is that it will contain 24 participants.

Here’s your guide to how this change impacts on things.

France and their star man Paul Pogba (left) begin Euro 2016 against Romania at the Stade de France on Friday

Didier Deschamps' side go through their paces as the tournament gets set to begin in the French capital

Hang on, I’m confused… I thought the Euros only had 16 teams?

Well it did until the last tournament in 2012. UEFA voted through the expansion from 16 to 24 teams back in September 2008 with their then-president Michel Platini saying: ‘It’s a natural development in European football in my view. There are now at least 24 teams of the required strength to compete effectively.’

So the new format will kick in during this competition, with 24 of UEFA’s 55 affiliated nations taking part in the finals.

So we have some new faces involved then?

Yes, the expanded format means that Albania, Iceland, Northern Ireland, Slovakia and Wales will take part in a European Championship for the first time in their histories.

It also allows the likes of Hungary to make their first appearance since 1972.

An expanded Euro 2016 means Wales and Iceland are among the teams competing for the first time ever

HOW MANY TEAMS HAVE BEEN IN THE EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP? Euro 2016: 24 Euro 2012: 16 Euro 2008: 16 Euro 2004: 16 Euro 2000: 16 Euro 1996: 16 Euro 1992: 8 Euro 1988: 8 Euro 1984: 8 Euro 1980: 8 Euro 1976: 4 Euro 1972: 4 Euro 1968: 4 Euro 1964: 4 Euro 1960: 4 Advertisement

What will be the format?

We have six groups of four nations and, of the 24 participants, 16 of them will advance to the knock-out stage.

It means that, a little daftly, we will play 36 out of 51 matches in the tournament - or 71 per cent of it - to eliminate just a third of those taking part.

The top two in each of the six groups advance automatically, plus the four third-placed teams with the best records in their group stage.

So how will the last 16 shape up?

Well, once all the pool matches have been completed, the third-placed teams will be ranked according to their records and the four best advance to the last 16.

As always, UEFA have introduced a number of criteria to split those who finish level on points.

It will come down to superior goal difference, then the higher number of goals scored.

If that fails to split them, it comes down to ‘fair play conduct in the final tournament’.

A quick check at annex C.5.1 of the tournament rule book informs us that points are deducted from a maximum of 10 points to establish this score, with one knocked off for a yellow card and three for a red. Therefore, the higher score you have, the better.

And then - God help us - if they still can’t be separated, the nation with the higher UEFA national team coefficient will progress.

So after all that, we should have our final line-up for the last 16. The winning teams in Groups A-D will take on our four third-place finishers.

From there, it’s a straight knock-out all the way to the final at the Stade de France on July 10.

Deschamps' France team are the favourites to win the expanded competition on home soil in the weeks ahead

Northern Ireland's fans will be hoping to enjoy the tournament and spring a big shock as Euro 2016 underdogs

So it should be easier to qualify from the group than not!

Yes, on the odds, it is literally easier to go through than go out. Only the six teams who finish bottom of the groups crash out automatically. And just two of the third-placed teams will exit.

Theoretically, it is possible to get through without winning a game in the group stage, gaining three draws. You may not even have to score a single goal.

So perhaps it will give us more exciting games early on, with teams minded to get some points under their belt and then ease off with qualification assured.

It does bring in an element of suspense…

Yes, because we have to wait for all the group games to be completed to know exactly who progresses, there could be an anxious wait for some to find out whether they make it through.

The final fixtures in Group A take place on June 19, but the last ones in Group F are on June 22, so someone is going to be biting their nails. It would be pretty rubbish to come fifth or sixth in that mini-table of the third place teams.

But you could also have the situation where teams playing later during the final round of matches may know precisely what they have to do to advance and therefore possibly have an advantage.

England and their boss Roy Hodgson (right) join Russia, Wales and Slovakia in Group B at Euro 2016

Alongside France and Spain, Germany are also strong contenders to leave Euro 2016 with the trophy

And with just three days between the end of the group stage and the start of the last 16 games, it will be a quick logistical turnaround for coaches and players to prepare for their next opponent.

Indeed, it could be a logistical nightmare for fans attending the tournament as they have to wait and see at which end of France their side will be playing.

Those who have applied for tickets through their national associations have been given vouchers for matches from the last 16 onwards when we know for definite that their team has progressed. These are then exchanged for the ticket.

But their travel plans remain up in the air until they know the full line-up for the knock-out stage and this could prove incredibly expensive with bookings having to be made at the last-minute.

What about separating teams that finish second and third in the groups?

Finishing second will obviously be advantageous for many as it means you are through automatically and don’t have to sweat on your place until the end of the group stage.

But if the second and third place teams are tied on points, goal difference and goals scored - and are facing one another in their last group match - then a penalty shootout could be used to determine their final position.