Euro 2016 hosts France may play in qualifying, with no points awarded for games against them in group The French have been lined up as the first host nation of a major competition to take part in its preliminary rounds, with European football's governing body expected to wave through changes to the regulations for its quadrennial showpiece at its executive committee meeting, which starts on Thursday. European football's governing body claimed the change would solve more than one problem experienced by host nations of major tournaments. It said the main issue was the difficulty that country had organising worthwhile friendlies during the two-year build-up to the finals, particularly against teams from the same confederation. It is understood Poland and Ukraine both encountered that problem ahead of co-hosting Euro 2012. Uefa also wants to improve the dwindling profile of international football, having already discussed replacing international friendlies with a new "Nations League." That proposal, which would see all 54 Uefa member nations compete across nine divisions - with promotion and relegation between them and prize money for the ultimate champions - is expected to be discussed again at this week's ExCo. Michel Platini's presidency has already seen the European Championship expanded to 24 teams and Euro 2020 become a pan-European tournament, while next season will herald the start of the so-called "week of football," in which qualifiers will take place across six days to maximise viewers. Platini had been accused of favouring his native France last year when he helped ensure they were not picked in the dreaded Pot X during the World Cup draw in Brazil, a decision which saw them avoid a difficult group.