Overview of each group drawn for next year’s European Championship.
GROUP A
Germany, Hungary, Scotland, Switzerland
Host Germany had a 12 months to neglect in 2023 however can look to 2024 with optimism.
The draw was comparatively variety to educate Julian Nagelsmann who, since being employed in September, has overseen two of the staff’s six losses in 13 friendlies.
Germany’s first aggressive recreation since a gaggle stage exit on the 2022 World Cup will likely be a June 14 event opener in Munich towards a Scotland. The Scots beat Spain in qualifying however have little event observe document.
Hungary did check Germany of their Euro 2020 group, taking a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw, however didn’t qualify for the World Cup.
Switzerland is in turmoil and coach Murat Yakin’s federation bosses needed to give him a vote of confidence midweek simply to attend the draw. Yakin has extensively reported tense relations together with his captain Granit Xhaka.
GROUP B
Spain, Albania, Croatia, Italy
It wouldn’t be a Euro event with out Spain vs Italy, winners of three of the previous 4 titles.
Their June 20 recreation in Gelsenkirchen makes it 5 straight conferences relationship to the Euro 2008 quarterfinals.
Croatia was eradicated from Euro 2020 by Spain’s thrilling 5-3 extra-time win within the spherical of 16, however probably the most resilient groups in soccer has thrived in robust teams at World Cups.
With Actual Madrid playmaker Luka Modrić nonetheless orchestrating the staff at age 38, Croatia can by no means be underestimated.
Albania received its qualifying group forward of extra fancied Poland and the Czech Republic, and was ranked within the draw seedings above Croatia and Italy. The staff that can play at simply its second main event has discovered inspiration below Brazilian coach Sylvinho.
“Our opponents are used to enjoying in European and World Cup finals,” stated Sylvinho, the previous Arsenal and Barcelona left again.
GROUP C
England, Denmark, Slovenia, Serbia
England and France had been the standout European groups on the 2022 World Cup and went unbeaten by qualifying.
England additionally has, in Bayern Munich ahead Harry Kane and Actual Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham, two free-scoring and arguably essentially the most in-form gamers in world soccer.
“They’re used to enjoying in massive matches collectively and individually, so we’re excited and all trying ahead to the summer time,” England coach Gareth Southgate stated.
Nonetheless, a June 16 begin towards Serbia in Gelsenkirchen will likely be a check earlier than dealing with a Denmark staff which obtained seven objectives in qualifying from Rasmus Højlund, signed by Manchester United after the membership couldn’t get Kane.
Slovenia misplaced to England 1-0 at its final main event, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, and shapes because the outsider at its first Euro since 2000.
GROUP D
France, Austria, Netherlands, Playoff winner (Poland, Estonia, Wales or Finland)
France is soccer’s No. 2-ranked staff behind Argentina, and the World Cup overwhelmed finalist final 12 months and champion in 2018.
Nonetheless, France fell out of Euro 2020 within the spherical of 16, towards Switzerland, and this group is among the many tougher.
Austria impressed in qualifying but coach Ralf Rangnick spoke of drawing “in all probability essentially the most tough we might get” from draw pots one and three.
France and the Netherlands will meet of their second recreation, on June 21 in Leipzig. France received 4-0 at house and 2-1 in Amsterdam after they met within the qualifying group.
One other doable bump within the street for France — the Group D winner can not meet a third-place staff from one other group within the spherical. Awaiting them is the runner-up from Group F.
GROUP E
Belgium, Romania, Slovakia, Playoff winner (Israel, Iceland, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Ukraine)
Belgium is now not in its “Golden Technology” period however a staff with Thibaut Courtois, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku at its core ought to nonetheless be formidable. Albeit, Courtois and De Bruyne have been out injured for the reason that begin of the season.
Winger Jeremy Doku’s flourishing on the left wing at Manchester Metropolis makes him a extra feared prospect than when he was rising throughout Euro 2020, the place Belgium misplaced a quarterfinal to Italy.
Belgium’s opening video games towards Slovakia and Romania add as much as a easy begin for a top-seeded staff.
The fourth group member could possibly be Israel or Ukraine, who’re enjoying in impartial international locations with home leagues disrupted whereas their nations are at struggle. Israel at Euro 2024 would current the most important safety planning challenge for German authorities.
GROUP F
Portugal, Turkey, Czech Republic, Playoff winner (Georgia, Luxembourg, Greece or Kazakhstan)
Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo may be feeling déjà vu right here. They confronted Turkey and the Czechs within the group stage of Euro 2008, with co-host Switzerland.
Portugal topped the standings that point and will likely be fancied to take action once more after sweeping by qualifying with an ideal 10 wins and 10 objectives from its 38-year-old celebrity.
Turkey shocked by successful a qualifying group forward of Croatia, although has dissatisfied on the previous two Euros when arriving with modern predictions of success.
UEFA items a event entry within the playoffs to the third-tier of member nations and this group is the place that staff will land: Greece was the Euro 2004 champion and the others can be event novices.
Portugal was the Euro 2016 champion, when it additionally was the late starter in Group F. The Portuguese and Czechs would be the final groups to start play, after they meet on June 18 in Leipzig.