Euro 2024 Qualifying Group Stage Concludes: England Awaits Fate
The qualifying group stage for Euro 2024 has officially concluded, and England is now awaiting their fate for next summer’s tournament in Germany.
The Three Lions secured their place with a 3-1 victory over Italy in October. Despite forgettable matches against Malta and North Macedonia this month, which resulted in a win and a draw respectively, Gareth Southgate and his team had already done the hard work.
On Wednesday night, the final group qualifying games took place, confirming 21 of the 24 teams, including hosts Germany. The remaining three teams will be determined through play-off games scheduled for March.
Euro 2024 Confirmed Teams
Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Scotland, Turkey, Austria, England, Hungary, Slovakia, Albania, Denmark, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, Serbia, Czechia, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia
Next month’s draw will consist of four pots of six teams. England will be placed in Pot 1, along with the five group winners with the best record in qualifying, as well as the hosts. Pot 2 will include the remaining group winners and the best runners-up.
Pots 3 and 4 will be made up of the remaining group runners-up, with three play-off winners joining Pot 4 after the playoffs in March.
Euro 2024 Confirmed Pots
Pot 1: Germany, Portugal, France, Belgium, Spain, England
Pot 2: Hungary, Turkey, Denmark, Albania, Romania, Austria
Pot 3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czechia
Pot 4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Playoff A, Playoff B, Playoff C
England’s 1-1 draw with North Macedonia secured their spot in Pot 1. However, there are still challenging draws possible if luck is not on their side.
In the best-case scenario, England could be drawn with Albania from Pot 2, Slovenia from Pot 3, and one of the nations that have qualified for the play-offs, such as Georgia, Greece, Ukraine, Poland, Estonia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Israel, Luxembourg, Iceland, Bosnia, or Wales.
On the other hand, there is a nightmare scenario where England could be grouped with three former European Championship winners: Denmark (Pot 2), Netherlands (Pot 3), and Italy (Pot 4).
When is the Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw?
The Euro 2024 group stage draw will take place in Hamburg, Germany on Saturday, December 2. The event is scheduled to begin at 5pm GMT.
More: Trending
For more stories like this, check our sport