Teams earn their spots in the UEFA European Championship (EURO) through a preliminary qualifying tournament happening years before the tournament. Here’s a breakdown of how this qualification process works:
- Qualification Period
Commencing on October 2022, the qualification phase sets the stage for teams to vie for participation in the EURO 2024.
Fifty-three (53) teams are sorted into groups for the qualifying rounds. These groups consist of seven groups of five teams each, along with three groups comprising six teams each. This ensures balanced competition among the participating nations.
This structured approach allows football teams across Europe to engage in a series of matches, securing their positions in the much-awaited EURO 2024 tournament.
Between March and November 2023, EURO 2024 aspirant teams diligently sneak their way into the qualifying matches. On the final tournament dated December 2, 2023, the 21 qualified teams (including Germany) were officially revealed.
However, the roster is not yet complete, as three additional teams are set to secure their spots through the playoffs. These teams will be divided into six groups of four. Crucial in determining the final three EURO 2024 qualifiers, the play-offs are scheduled from March 1 to March 26, 2024.
- Playoffs (if applicable)
Set for March 2024, these playoffs play a crucial role in finalizing the tournament’s lineup by determining additional teams. It is important to note that teams securing the top two places in their Euros qualifying groups are exempt from the playoffs, irrespective of their Nations League performances.
- Points System
Teams earn points through wins and occasionally draws during the qualification matches. Those with the highest points within their respective groups usually secure qualification for the final tournament.
- Host Nation
In EURO tournament editions, one or more nations are designated as hosts. These host countries receive automatic qualification for the tournament, regardless of their performance in the qualification stage. As the host nation for EURO 2024, Germany is granted automatic entry as one of the 24 EURO 2024 qualifiers.
- Final Tournament
Once the qualification process is completed, the final tournament begins. The qualified teams find their way to the coveted title of European football champions.
Final words! It is worth noting that the specifics of the qualification process, like the number of teams, groups, and playoff format, may vary between EURO editions. UEFA determines these particulars based on various factors. Such a decision may be influenced by the number of participating countries and any special circumstances that surround the tournament.