The international break is an often disliked bugbear for many fans of the top European leagues. However, when the dead-rubbers are out of the way and we get to the business end of proceedings, the permutations are looked up and studied.
So, now that regular club football has returned once more – Football FanCast has recapped everything involving Euro 2024, which includes who’s through and who’s not, and following the recent draw made by UEFA, how the play-off competition works out for all involved in the three 'paths'.
How Euro 2024 works
At this tournament, being held by three-time champions Germany next year, there are ten host cities. These will see action with the beginning of the tournament on 14th June at the Munich Football Arena (or Allianz Arena).
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Before tournament action begins, the draw for group placings takes place in Hamburg on Saturday 2nd December. As the host nation, Germany are seeded in Group A and will occupy position A1.
2024’s format will be the same as Euro 2020. The top two in each of the six final tournament groups will proceed to the round of 16, along with the four best third-placed finishers.
Teams that have qualified for Euro 2024
Since Euro 2024 qualifiers initially kicked off in March 2023, the formative 53 UEFA member associations have been whittled down to 20 (plus the hosts, Germany).
The seeding for the final tournament has also been determined, with England squeezing into Pot 1 thanks to their qualifying record. Fellow heavyweights Portugal, France, Spain and Belgium are all also seeded, while the three play-off winners will join holders Italy in Pot 4.
The qualified teams are as follows:
Germany
Host
27 September 2018
13
Belgium
Group F winner
13 October 2023
6
France
Group B winner
13 October 2023
10
Portugal
Group J winner
13 October 2023
8
Scotland
Group A runner-up
15 October 2023
3
Spain
Group A winner
15 October 2023
11
Turkey
Group D winner
15 October 2023
5
Austria
Group F runner-up
16 October 2023
3
England
Group C winner
17 October 2023
10
Hungary
Group G winner
16 November 2023
4
Slovakia
Group J runner-up
16 November 2023
5
Albania
Group E winner
17 November 2023
1
Denmark
Group H winner
17 November 2023
9
Netherlands
Group B runner-up
18 November 2023
10
Romania
Group I winner
18 November 2023
5
Switzerland
Group I runner-up
18 November 2023
5
Serbia
Group G runner-up
19 November 2023
5
Czech Republic
Group E runner-up
20 November 2023
10
Italy
Group C runner-up
20 November 2023
10
Slovenia
Group H runner-up
20 November 2023
1
Croatia
Group D runner-up
21 November 2023
6
Euro 2024 qualifying procedure
For the rest of the competing teams that have yet to qualify, there’s no reason to despair – as this competition has play-off places where the countries in limbo can find reprieve. Playing a part in this are the team’s results and standings from the Nations League group games played last year.
The 12 play-off participants have been split into three paths comprising of four teams each. In each path, there will be two single-leg semi-finals on 21st March, with the winners progressing to a one-off final on 26th March.
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The play-off 'paths' depend on nations' respective performances in their Nations League division, with the best-placed teams granted an automatic play-off berth if they were unable to qualify through the regular qualifying group phase.
Path C: Georgia, Greece and Kazakhstan were all assured of a play-off place after winning their Nations League C groups. However, due to Turkey qualifying for the final tournament outright, their play-off spot went to the best-performing League C team who didn't qualify, which was Luxembourg.
Therefore, one of these teams will qualify for the tournament:
21st March
Georgia
vs
Luxembourg
Tbilisi
21st March
Greece
vs
Kazakhstan
Athens
26th March
Winner Match 1
vs
Winner Match 2
Tbilisi/Luxembourg City
Path B: The teams in Path B were determined by a draw, due to there only being two teams advancing to the play-offs from Path A. As winners of their Nations League groups, Israel and Bosnia & Herzegovina were guaranteed home semi-final slots. The three best-performing League B teams from the Nations League who failed to qualify automatically (Finland, Ukraine and Iceland) were drawn to decide who will face League B opponents, and who will fill the slot in Path A.
The remaining League A slot was taken up by the highest-ranked League D side, Estonia.
21st March
Israel
vs
Iceland
To be decided
21st March
Bosnia & Herzegovina
vs
Ukraine
Zenica
26th March
Winner Match 1
vs
Winner Match 2
Zenica/TBD
Path A: As explained above, the four slots in Path A's play-off route were taken up by the two League A nations who failed to qualify (Poland and Wales), League D's leading team (Estonia) and the remaining League B side (Finland).
The former two were guaranteed home semis, while Wales and Finland were handed the prospect of a home final following a separate draw.
21st March
Wales
vs
Finland
Cardiff
21st March
Poland
vs
Estonia
Warsaw
26th March
Winner Match 1
vs
Winner Match 2
Cardiff/Helsinki
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