The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is set to captivate football fans across the globe as it returns to Germany. This prestigious competition will see 24 teams battling for the coveted title of European champions.
Key Dates and Host Cities
The UEFA Euro 2024 will commence on June 14, 2024, at the Munich Football Arena, featuring the opening match between hosts Germany and Scotland. The group stage matches will continue until June 26, followed by the knockout stages starting on June 29. The grand finale is scheduled for July 14, 2024, at the iconic Olympiastadion in Berlin.
This event marks a significant return for Germany, hosting the tournament for the first time since the country’s unification in 1990. Germany was previously the venue in 1988 when it was held in West Germany. The decision to award Germany the hosting rights was made during a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in 2018, with Turkey being the only other contender.
The tournament will be hosted in ten distinguished cities across Germany:
- Berlin: Olympiastadion (71,000 capacity)
- Cologne: Cologne Stadium (43,000)
- Dortmund: BVB Stadion Dortmund (62,000)
- Dusseldorf: Dusseldorf Arena (47,000)
- Frankfurt: Frankfurt Arena (47,000)
- Gelsenkirchen: Arena AufSchalke (50,000)
- Hamburg: Volksparkstadion Hamburg (49,000)
- Leipzig: Leipzig Stadium (40,000)
- Munich: Munich Football Arena (66,000)
- Stuttgart: Stuttgart Arena (51,000)
Notably, Munich will be hosting Euro matches for the second consecutive time, having been a venue during Euro 2020.
Participating Teams and Group Composition
A total of 24 teams will participate, divided into six groups, with each group consisting of four teams. The tournament features 51 matches in total. The groups are as follows:
- Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
- Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
- Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
- Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
- Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
- Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic
Georgia is making its debut in the European Championship finals, while Ukraine and Poland qualified via the playoffs.
Tournament Favourites
The frontrunners for the Euro 2024 title include traditional powerhouses such as France, Germany, England, Portugal, and Spain. Portugal stands out as the only team to win all their qualifying matches, while France and England remained unbeaten. Despite their disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup, Germany is also considered a strong contender, bolstered by their home advantage.
Notable Absentees
Among the notable absentees from Euro 2024 are Sweden and Norway. This will be the first time Sweden misses the tournament since 1996, while Norway last participated in 2000. The absence of these teams means that fans will not see star players such as Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard, and Alexander Isak in action during the tournament.
Tournament Format and Squad Size
The tournament format will see the top two teams from each group, along with the four best third-place finishers, progressing to the round of 16. This will be followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals, and the final match. The winner of Euro 2024 will earn a place in the 2025 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions, where they will face the 2024 Copa America winner.
In May, UEFA confirmed that the maximum squad size for Euro 2024 will be increased from 23 to 26 players. This decision continues the expanded squad size seen in Euro 2020 and the 2022 World Cup, offering managers more flexibility and a buffer against player injuries caused by the busy club season.
Submission of Squad Lists
Participating teams had until June 7 to submit their final squad lists to UEFA. These lists must contain a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 26 players. This rule ensures teams are well-prepared for the demands of the tournament, balancing squad depth with player readiness.
Euro 2024 promises to be an exhilarating tournament, showcasing the best of European football. With a mix of veteran teams and new contenders, fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the drama and excitement that the competition will bring.
