The Euro Cup qualifiers are officially underway.

The process will take almost two years to complete and a number of major teams will either rise up the ranks or become forgotten in their pursuit of international glory. Once the summer of 2016 rolls around the world will witness the top European nations duking it out for the top honor.

Here are the top contenders to win the prize:

Spain

The defending European champions have seemingly fallen off a cliff in the last few months, but the team still has a few years to rebuild itself back up to its former glory. There may be no more Xavi or Xabi Alonso or David Villa but there are a lot of young and hungry players waiting to get their chance. Among the young stars in the making are Isco, Iker Munain, Thiago Alcantara, Munir El Haddadi, Dani Carvajal, Gerard Deulofeu, David De Gea, Koke and Asier Illarramedi among others. This is a nation that recently won the 2013 Under-21 Euro championship. The nation also has a number of Euro 2012 winners such as Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla, Sergio Busquets, Sergio Ramos and Jordi Alba that will still be in their prime when the tournament comes around. Never discount Diego Costa, who could also find a way to suit the system and wreak some havoc on opposing defenses. Spain may not be as strong as it was over the last few years, but do not count it out.

Germany

The defending World Cup champs are undoubtedly the team to beat, despite what they might want you to think. Germany's World Cup exploit was the first time a European nation won the tournament in South America and the way the country did it will never be forgotten. The Germans showed off their lethal ways in a 7-1 win over host nation Brazil before smothering Argentina in a slow final by the score of 1-0. The team may have lost some key players to retirement, but there are more than enough young stars to replace them. Thomas Muller, Mario Götze, Julian Draxler, Andre Schurrle and Marco Reus are all still young and will be in their prime years (or near them) by the time the team arrives in France to win its second straight international tournament. There is no doubt that they are clear cut favorites to win it all.

France

France's record at home speaks for itself. The team won the 1984 Euro at home before conquering the 1998 World Cup as the host nation. In 2000, the team won the Euro in neighboring country Belgium. The only blemish on that record is the 1960 Euro at home where they finished fourth.

But that speaks volumes about France's strength at home. And judging from the team's recent form in the World Cup, this is a team that can definitely make a case as a contender. The recent 1-0 win over Spain showcased a side that could dominate moving forward with the likes of Paul Pogba, Antoine Greizmann, Mathieu Valbuena, Loic Remy and Karim Benzema. There are also rumblings about Franck Ribery potentially making a return to the national team and there is always a possibility that the talented Samir Nasri could eventually get a spot on the side. This is a stacked team that has no major flaws anywhere on the pitch. Pogba will be 23 by the time the tournament comes around. He is already one of the best players in the world and one would imagine that he is only going to improve.

Belgium

The Belgians were admittedly poor in Brazil this summer. They won an easy group, but struggled to score goals throughout. The team's best performance came against the United States, but even then, the side failed to score until extra time. In the quarterfinals, the Belgians struggled to score against an Argentina side that was far from its best.

But the tournament was admittedly the first for the nation since the 2002 World Cup. With that experience behind them, this young side will be better prepared to make waves in Europe. This generation, which features such talent as Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Marouane Fellaini, Vincent Kompany, Kevin De Bruyne and Thibaut Courtois among others, is good enough to make a deep run and win this tournament.

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