Euro 2024 draw: A look at the qualified teams and an overview of the draw

The Euro 24 draw has recently been made with the tournament set to take place in Germany next summer.

The competition will commence on June 14 2024, while the final will take place at Olympiastadion on July 14.

Italy won the previous edition of this competition however, they have been far from their best in recent years. They couldn’t qualify for the World Cup last year but they have managed to secure their place in Euro 24 and will be hoping that they can manage to return to their best under Luciano Spalletti – who helped Napoli win the Serie A title for the first time in more than three decades last term.

Spain and Germany have won this tournament a record three times. So, either country will be looking to get past each other and become the most successful nation in the European Championship by winning this tournament next summer.

However, neither of those countries have had a great time in recent times so they aren’t the favourite to lift this trophy next year. So, if that were to happen then that would be a big surprise.

Qualified teams

The qualifying rounds took place with 53 nations where they were spread across 10 different groups. The two best teams from each group have managed to book their place for next year’s European Championship.

So, the teams who have secured their place in Euro 24 are – Spain, Scotland, France, Netherlands, England, Italy, Turkey, Croatia, Albania, Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Serbia, Denmark, Slovenia, Romania, Switzerland, Portugal and Slovakia. Along with them, the host Germany have also qualified.

Format

The final round of the European Championship happens with 24 countries with 21 of them having already secured their places. Germany are the host country so they have qualified for this competition by default without playing in the qualifying rounds.

Three more teams will qualify through the playoffs round – where 12 nations will compete against each other in two different knockout rounds to book their place in Germany.

The play-off games will take place during the March international break – where Wales, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel, Iceland, Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece and Kazakhstan are in it.

The 24 teams have been drawn into six different groups with each group containing four countries. Two best teams from each group will secure their place in the round of 16, while the four best third-placed sides will also qualify for the knockout stage.

Final Groups

The group stage draw of Euro 24 recently took place and we now know which of the countries will compete against each other in this tournament in the Group stage.

24 teams were spread across four different pots with each pot containing six teams. Portugal, Germany, Spain, England, France and Belgium were allotted in pot 1, while Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania and Austria were in pot 2.

Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Czech Republic were placed in pot 3, while Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Play-Off Winner Path A, Play-Off Winner Path B and Play-Off Winner Path C were allotted in pot 4.

So, the draw looks like this:

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary and Switzerland

Group B: Spain, Italy, Albania and Croatia

Group C: Denmark, England, Slovenia and Serbia

Group D: France, Netherlands, Austria and Play-Off Winner A

Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania and Play-Off Winner B

Group F: Portugal, Czech Republic, Turkey and Play-Off Winner C

Wales, Finland, Poland and Estonia are in the Play-off A and one team among them will secure their place for next year’s Euro 24 and will go straight in the Group D.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel and Iceland are in the Play-off B and one of these side will be in Group E, while any one of Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece or Kazakhstan will be in Group F through the play-off C.

Once the playoffs are complete and we know all of the qualified teams, UEFA Euro 2024 tickets will then go on sale to the public.

Overview of the group stage draw

Considering Germany’s recent form it’s not going to be an easy group for them as Scotland have recently showcased that they have the firepower to hurt any top team, while Switzerland are also a hard team to play against.

Hungary displayed in the last edition of this tournament that they aren’t easy to beat. So, although on paper, Germany are the favourite to top Group A, it’s not going to be easy for them to do that. But, it’s expected that they will get past the group stage given the third-placed team can also qualify for the knockout stage.

Group B, which contains Spain, Italy, Croatia and Albania, is a competitive group, however, it’s likely that Albania might finish last and the rest could qualify for the knockout stage.

England will face off against Serbia, Denmark and Slovenia in the group stage. Serbia have a talented squad and they should give a stern challenge to any teams around the world, but they haven’t been able to do that in recent times in big tournaments. So, The Three Lions shouldn’t face any issues in getting past the knockout stage.

Denmark are also a tough team and England faced off against them in the semi-final stage in the last edition of the European Championship. So, England vs Denmark will be a mouth-watering fixture in next year’s Euro 24 group phase. But, both of these two nations are likely to qualify for the knockout stage from Group C.

Group D is also looking like a competitive group as France, Netherlands and Austria are in it alongside the winner of Play-off A. France and Netherlands are expected to finish in the top two positions of this group, however, Austria won’t go down without fighting as they have showcased glimpses of their quality in recent times under Ralf Rangnick’s guidance.

Belgium are the strongest team in Group E and it is unlikely to be an issue for them to reach the knockout stage. So, they should qualify for the round of 16 of this competition as the group leader.

Portugal are in Group F along with Turkey and Czech Republic. The fourth team will be the winner of Play-off C. Roberto Martinez’s side are favourite to top this group and secure their place in the knockout stage.

Potential favourite to win Euro 24

France are well-stocked with talent in every department so they are definitely one of the favourites to win this competition. They have showcased their quality in recent times as after winning the World Cup 2018, they reached the final of the World Cup 2022 before losing to Argentina on penalties.

England also have talented players in every department so they are among the favourites to win the Euro 24. Despite having a strong squad, Gareth Southgate hasn’t been able to help his country win a big trophy so he will be desperate to lift the European Championship next year.

Several highly talented players have come out of Portugal in recent times so they are currently deemed one of the strongest teams in Europe. Therefore, they are also one of the favourites to win this competition.