UEFA Euro 2024: Everything you need to know about Euro Qualifiers 2024
Twenty-four teams are set to clash in Germany this summer in the UEFA EURO 2024. The hosts got an automatic tournament qualification, but the others had to earn their spot.
Twenty teams earned their spot via the qualification rounds to join Germany in the finals. At the same time, the remaining three spots are still up for grabs via the playoffs in March.
Here is a look at how the teams across Europe battle for a spot in the tournament:
How do you qualify for UEFA Euro 2024?
Teams across Europe were divided into ten groups – seven groups with five teams each and three groups with six each. With Germany qualifying automatically and Russia suspended, it was the top two from each group qualifying for the final tournament and six others fighting for the final spots.
- Group A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus
- Group B: Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar
- Group C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta
- Group D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Türkiye, Latvia
- Group E: Poland, Czechia, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova
- Group F: Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia
- Group G: Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania
- Group H: Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino
- Group I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus, Andorra
- Group J: Portugal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein
The draws for the qualifiers took place in October 2022, and the matches have been taking place in all international breaks and post-season. The qualifying matches started in March 2023 and were done by November.
Each team played the others in the group in a home-and-away format. The top two sides from each group qualified for the final tournament, with 12 of the next best teams finishing in their groups making it to the playoffs to battle for the final three slots.
Also Read: When and Where to Watch Euro 2024 Playoffs
How many teams will qualify in Euro 2024?
So far, 21 teams have qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024. Germany gained an automatic qualification because they are the host nation, while 20 other teams earned their place via the qualifiers.
Who has qualified for Euro 2024?
The 20 teams who have qualified for the UEFA EURO 2024 are:
Group winners: Spain, France, England, Turkey, Albania, Belgium, Hungary, Denmark, Romania, Portugal.
Group Runners Up: Scotland, The Netherlands, Italy, Croatia, Czech Republic, Austria, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland and Slovakia.
What are the UEFA EURO playoffs?
UEFA have been using Playoffs to fill the final slots in the tournament. They used the same one-off match format in six of the last seven EUROs but had to add an extra round in the 2020 edition.
The 12 teams are divided into three groups of four in the playoffs. Unlike the qualifiers, they do not face every other side in the group or have a home-and-away format.
Instead, a draw determines who faces whom in a one-off fixture, with the winner progressing to the next round. Each group will have one winner in what resembles a semi-final and final format.
The winners qualify for the UEFA EURO final, while the losing sides go back to get ready for the qualifiers for the next edition.
UEFA EURO 2024 Playoffs
This year’s playoff draws are done, and the matches have been determined.
Semi-finals (To be played on March 21st)
- Path A: Poland vs Estonia, Wales vs Finland
- Path B: Israel vs Iceland, Bosnia, and Herzegovina vs Ukraine
- Path C: Georgia vs Luxembourg, Greece vs Kazakhstan
Finals (To be played on March 26th)
- Path A: Wales/Finland vs Poland/Estonia
- Path B: Bosnia and Herzegovina/Ukraine vs Israel/Iceland
- Path C: Georgia/Luxembourg vs Greece/Kazakhstan
The single-legged knockout tournament was drawn on December 3rd, along with the group stage draws for the final tournament in Germany.
Which group will the playoff winners join at UEFA EURO 2024?
After the draw in December, the final three slots were added to Groups D, E, and F.
Path A winners, one of Poland, Wales, Finland, and Estonia, will join Group D once the knockout matches are done. They will be facing The Netherlands, Austria, and France in the finals.
Also Read: UEFA Euro 2024: Teams who have qualified
Path B winners have been drawn to face Belgium, Slovakia, and Romania in the group stages. One of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Israel, and Iceland will be earning the spot.
Finally, Path C winners are set to take the final spot in Group F. Turkey, Portugal, and the Czech Republic wait for them in Germany this summer.