Euro 2024: Preview and Odds

Euro 2024 Germany

The finals of the 17^th edition of the UEFA European Championships take place in Germany between June 14 and July 14 2024. The finals will be contested by 24 countries, the host nation plus 23 qualifiers. The Germans will be hoping that home advantage can help bring them a fourth tournament win.

Euro 2024: Tournament format

There will be six qualifying groups. The top two from each group qualify for the round of 16 along with the four best third-placed teams. The knockout rounds then continue to the final. There will be no third-place play-off.

There will be a round of 16 before the quarter-finals as the top two teams from the six groups go through.

Euro 2024: Qualifiers

Now that the dust has settled on the World Cup, international football returns with the Euro 2024 qualifiers.

England have been drawn in a qualifying group alongside Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta. The opening round of matches sees them face Italy in Naples before playing host to Ukraine at Wembley.

Being grouped with two teams boasting the quality of the Italians and the Ukrainians is tough on England. And facing the two sides who, on paper, appear to be their main qualification rivals first gives Gareth Southgate’s side a real chance to take the group by the scruff of the neck.

On the other side of the coin if things go badly it could put the Three Lions on the back foot before the month is out. It is crucial that Southgate and his squad put the disappointment of their World Cup quarter-final defeat to France behind them and build on what has been an excellent five years of progress. Southgate has a fantastic record in competitive games and England will look to build on this.

Ironically England come up against the side who defeated them in their last match in the Euros in their opening game. The final of Euro 2020 saw Italy prevail on penalties. The Azzurri had looked a fantastic side throughout that tournament, however, in the aftermath they failed to qualify for the World Cup. Roberto Mancini will be looking to bounce back from that and build a winning team.

Scotland have been drawn against Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus. After coming close to World Cup qualification Steve Clarke’s side will be hoping to continue their progress and once again qualify for the Euros. They kick off their campaign with two home matches to Cyprus, which on the surface looks like a good opportunity for early points, then an attractive but difficult clash with Spain.

Wales will be looking to get back on track after a disappointing World Cup. Like Scotland they open with two home games, firstly a tough assignment against Croatia and the evergreen Luka Modric, then against Latvia. Turkey and Armenia make up the rest of the group.

Northern Ireland are up against Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan and San Marino. They open up with a trip to San Marino and a home fixture against Finland.

The Republic of Ireland are grouped with the Netherlands, France, Greece and Gibraltar. They open their campaign against World Cup runners up France, however, before that they have a friendly against Latvia.

Euro 2024 Qualifying Groups

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, Turkey, Latvia

Group E: Poland, Czech Republic, 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