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As we reach the business end of qualifying for the Euro 2024 Championships in Germany, there are some exciting games left to play and a whole host of national teams already qualified and planning their preparation for next summer. The whole football world is excited, and fans from all over Europe will be joining Euros football predictor games to show off their knowledge and competitive nature with their mates next summer. Germany promises to be a wonderful host for the best teams in Europe to battle it out, but who has already qualified and who looks set to make the playoffs for a second chance at qualification?
There are just two rounds of game left before the end of the group phase of qualification for the European Championship next summer. These games are to be played over the course of a week in mid-November. Hosts Germany, automatically qualify of course, but after the October rounds of games there were a few more big hitters that joined them on the list, including the beaten finalists of the last Euros England, and World Cup runners up France.
Other nations already qualified include Spain and Scotland from Group A, Turkey, Austria, Belgium, and Portugal. The excitement has already begun for the fans of these countries:
- Germany
- Belgium
- France
- Portugal
- England
- Spain
- Scotland
- Turkey
- Austria
What this means, is that we have another 15 places in the tournament up for grabs. In November, 12 of these positions will be decided, with the final three places waiting until the playoffs in March.
What to look out for in the November fixtures
Group A is done and dusted with Spain and Scotland already qualified. Erling Haaland will have to wait for the playoffs to try and get to his first major international tournament.
Meanwhile, in Group B, the Netherlands are favourites to qualify with games against Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whilst Greece must play France. The Netherlands and Greece sit on the same points, but Greece have played a game more going into the final round of games.
Group C is one with some intriguing results and potential outcomes. The reigning champion Italy faces a tough ask to qualify for the tournament directly, facing North Macedonia at home before visiting Ukraine in the final group game. This promises to be a belter of a game, with both having the potential to take the second qualification spot behind England at this point.
In Group D a surprise is shaping up. Türkiye have already secured their place at the summer tournament with one game to spare, leaving Wales, Croatia, and Armenia battling it out for the second automatic qualification spot. Wales beat Croatia last time out and hope to take that confidence into games against Armenia away followed by a home game against Türkiye. Croatia have two home games against Latvia and Armenia, so will fancy their chances of getting six points.
There are four teams still in contention in Group F. Albania play Moldova away before hosting Faroe Islands in the final game, whilst Czechia face Poland away and Moldova at home. Albania, Czechia, Poland and Moldova can all still make it.
In Group G, Hungary and Serbia look set to qualify, although Montenegro has an outside chance of catching them.
Group H is a group where there is still some interest, with Slovenia and Denmark playing each other next, and Kazakhstan still in with a chance of qualifying. They host minnows San Marino next. The final round of games sees Denmark visit underperforming Northern Ireland and Slovenia play host to Kazakhstan.
Switzerland and Romani are in confident mood and good form to qualify from Group I, whilst in Group J, Slovakia and Luxembourg are fighting for the final spot behind already qualified Portugal. Slovakia just need a point against Iceland in the next game.
When is the draw for the Euros proper?
Once the final round of group games has been completed in November, we’ll have a much clearer idea of the teams that will be present in Germany next June and July. All that will be left to decide is the playoff winners, with those games coming up in semi-final and final format in March 2024.
The draw for the finals tournament will take place in Hamburg on 2nd December. This is where qualified teams will join the hosts Germany in finding out who they will be playing and where. 6 groups of 4 teams each will be drawn, the top two qualifying for the knockout rounds, joined by the 4 best 3rd best teams after the group stage.
What about the playoffs?
Once the November fixtures are completed, the playoffs will be drawn. Which teams make the playoffs isn’t as straightforward as it probably should be, with positions determined by performances in the Nations League (UEFA really don’t like to make things simple, do they!). There will be 12 teams competing, split into three play-off sections of four teams. Semi-finals will be played on March 21st, 2024, with winners facing off in a final five days later on 26th March 2024. The three play-off sections will contain teams from Nations Leagues A, B, and C, but this is complicated by the fact any nations that qualify from the ‘normal’ route are removed from here and replaced by the next-best ranked team in their league.
That’s the state of play currently, with everything to be decided in some groups, and playoff safety nets needed already for some big name players and countries. The intrigue and excitement will begin proper over the coming months, so prepare to join and play your favourite Euros 2024 football predictor game, get ready for the sticker book, and to cheer on your nation in Germany!
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