Individual bids from France, Italy and Turkey and a joint proposal from Sweden-Norway were made before the deadline of midnight last night, the European governing body UEFA said.

 

They are now due to confirm an official list of bidders in the next month.

 

Candidates must then prepare a bid dossier by February 15, 2010.

 

UEFA's ruling Executive Committee will choose the host in May 2010.

 

The timetable gives the 2016 host six years to prepare for the tournament - one more year than Poland and Ukraine have been granted in their troubled buildup to Euro 2012.

 

The 2016 tournament will feature 24 teams after UEFA decided last year to increase the field from 16.

 

UEFA requires the 2016 host to provide nine stadiums each holding at least 30,000 spectators.

 

A 50,000-capacity stadium is needed for the final.

 

That, and the current economic crisis, forced Scotland and Wales to drop their planned bid.

 

Each of the four bids intends to use the tournament as a catalyst for major investment in building and upgrading stadiums.

 

Stadium standards in France and Italy have fallen behind countries like England, Germany and Spain since France hosted the World Cup in 1998 and Italy staged it in 1990.

 

France hosted the Euros in 1984 when current UEFA president Michel Platini captained the home team to the first of its two European titles.

 

Italy staged the eight-team tournament in 1980, after the finals were expanded into a single-venue event with a group stage and knockout matches for the first time.

 

Italy was a strong favourite to be chosen as host for Euro 2012 but was beaten in the final vote by Poland-Ukraine.

 

A proposed joint bid between France and Italy was last week ruled out by Jean-Pierre Escalettes, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF).

 

Sweden hosted the Euros in 1992 when just four stadiums were needed.

 

It was the last time only eight teams took part before the tournament was doubled in size to 16 at Euro 1996, when the event was staged in England.

 

Norway has never hosted a European championship and has qualified only once.

 

Turkey would also be hosting a European championship for the first time.