Euros 2024: how many teams will qualify for UEFA European Championship? Tournament format and teams explained

The fourth round of Euros qualifying matches have now taken place and England and Scotland look in command of their respective groups while Northern Ireland and Wales have most to fear.

Scotland are now four wins from their four fixtures and they could confirm their place in next year’s tournament on the same day they take on England at Hampden Park for the anniversary Auld Enemy fixture in September.

A dramatic night in Glasgow last night (Tuesday 20 June) saw Steve Clarke’s men beat Georgia 2-0. The game was forced to pause for 90 minutes due to the weather but on return, goals either side of half-time from Callum McGregor and Scott McTominay ensured a clean sweep of Euros qualifying matchdays.

Similarly, England have also won their first four matches, seeing off Italy, Ukraine, Malta and most recently North Macedonia to sit at the top of group C. Bukayo Saka was England’s star against North Macedonia in Old Trafford as the Gunners’ winger scored his first hat-trick.

However, there is still much to play for as we wait for the fifth matchday. Here is all you need to know about how many teams will feature in next year’s Euros 2024 competition...

When is Euros 2024?

The tournament proper will start next on 14 June 2024 and will conclude with the grand finale on Sunday 14 July 2024. The next qualifying rounds will take place from Thursday 8 September. England will play Ukraine; Scotland will face Cyprus; Wales take on Latvia on the sixth matchday while Northern Ireland prepare for Slovenia.

How many teams will play in Euros 2024?

It had been rumoured that the next Euros tournament would include 32 nations, however only 24 teams will be competing in Germany next summer, in keeping with previous competitions. As the host nation, Germany will not need to qualify for the tournament but are already granted a place.

The top two teams from each qualifying group will qualify automatically and the remaining three spots go to the winners of the play-offs, linked to the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. After topping their Nations League group, and thus earning promotion, Scotland have earned themselves at least a place in the play-offs.

The draw for the tournament proper will take place in December 2023 following the conclusion of all the group stage qualifying fixtures but before the play-off semi-finals and play-off finals.

What is the Euros 2024 format?

24 teams will be split into six groups of four with the top two progressing through to the round of sixteen as well as the four best third place finishers. The round of 16 will then signal the start of the knockout rounds which include the quarter-finals, semi-finals and, of course, the final on 14 July.

Who is in Euros 2024 qualifying groups?

• Group A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus
• Group B: Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar
• Group C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta
• Group D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Turkiye, Latvia
• Group E: Poland, Czech Republic, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova
• Group F: Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia
• Group G: Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania
• Group H: Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino.
• Group I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus, Andorra.
• Group J: Portugal, Bosnia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein.