We are not even one year away from the incredible 2022 FIFA World Cup; another big tournament is already on the horizon. In just over six months, we will have another tournament as the Euro 2024 will kick off with 24 teams fighting to be crowned the Kings of Europe. After the teams were increased from 16 to 24 in 2016, there has been an increased effort from teams looking to qualify for the event.
21 out of 24 teams had already been decided, and now they have been grouped with some mouth-watering clashes for fans to witness. With three teams yet to qualify, Group D, E, and F scenarios can change depending on which teams make the cut.
Currently, 12 teams are fighting for those three training spots, and the final standings for the Euro will only be evident by March 26, 2024. So, which teams look well-placed to make the knockouts based on the group? We explain.
Group A- Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
After experiencing back-to-back group stage knockout at the World Cup stage, Germany have been given a not-so-competitive group comprising Hungary, Switzerland, and Scotland. Under new manager Julian Nagelsmann, Germany will be looking to turn around and have the star power to win the tournament. However, the biggest question is whether Nagelsmann will be able to harness the talent at his disposal.
Scotland made the tournament after finishing second in their qualification groups behind Spain but ahead of Erling Haaland’s Norway. The team has a good mixture of experienced (Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson, Liam Cooper) and youngsters (Billy Gilmour. McTominay has been the star with seven goals, the most by any player on the team.
Hungary, meanwhile, topped their group with their star player Dominik Szoboszlai leading the way. However, the lack of star power across the field is what might hurt them. Lastly, there is Switzerland, who qualified by finishing second in their group but were rusty, drawing five out of the ten games, and they will need to improve their game vastly if they are to qualify for the knockout.
Teams qualifying: Germany, Scotland
Group B- Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
This is the ‘Group of Death’ with a World Cup champion, the defending Euro champions, and one World Cup finalist all in one group. Spain topped their group, winning seven out of their eight games and scoring 25 goals, the second-most (based on groups with five games). Moreover, La Roja have not relied on any single player, with Alvaro Morata, Joselu, Ferran Torres, and Gavi all contributing with goals.
They are joined by the 2018 finalist and 2022 semi-finalist Croatia, who finished second in their group. However, if the last two World Cups are any indication, Croatia will bring their best for the Euros, which means no team will have it easy going against them.
The third team in the group are Italy who will be looking to defend their trophy especially after they failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The last team in the group is Albania, who are participating for the second time after 2016.
Teams qualifying: Spain, Italy, Croatia (as the best third-best placed team)
Group C- Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group C features Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia and England. The Three Lions came close to ending their trophy drought in the previous edition but lost at the final hurdle. However, since then, the team has become stronger with a perfect mixture of experience and youth. Given his form this season, Jude Bellingham will be expected to take the tournament by storm.
Denmark and Slovenia qualified after finishing first and second in the same qualifying group. Slovenia will be highly dependent on their goalkeeper captain, Jan Oblak, and their defence for the team to have a chance to qualify for the next round. In attack, the main focus will be on Red Bull Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Denmark made an inspired run to the semi-final last season even after losing their star player, Christian Eriksen, and have almost the same set of players who could take them to the knockout round yet again.
The last of the team are Serbia, who played very defensively, winning four, drawing two, and losing two. They have also been highly dependent on Aleksandar Mitrović for goals.
Teams qualifying: England, Denmark
The insight on the remaining three groups will be updated when the final three teams are confirmed after the playoffs final for Path A, B and C.