UEFA EURO 2024 QUALIFYING
Which teams can qualify for Euro 2024 in the October international break?
Host nation Germany qualifies automatically, with the likes of Spain, France, England and Italy hoping to clinch one of the other 23 spots.
Qualification for the 2024 UEFA European Championship, to be played in Germany between 14 June and 14 July next year, has passed the halfway point, giving us a much clearer picture of which 23 countries will be joining the host nation at the finals.
The qualifying group stage got underway in March 2023 and will come to an end in November, with the 53 competing nations having either three or four matches left to play depending on whether they were drawn into five-team or six-team groups. Matchdays seven and eight will take place between 12 and 17 October, with matchdays nine following from 15 to 21 November. Countries playing in five-team groups will have sat out two rounds of fixtures and will finish their groups having played eight rather than 10 fixtures.
The top two teams from the 10 groups qualify directly for the finals, with a 12-team play-off to follow in March 2024.
What do certain countries need to secure Euro 2024 qualification?
With the end of the qualifying group stage approaching, several nations have the chance to seal their spot in the finals with matches to spare.
Group A: Scotland, Spain
Scotland have been the revelation of Euro 2024 qualifying so far, winning each of their five opening games, including a 2-0 triumph over Spain at Hampden Park. Steve Clarke’s team play just once in Group A in October but will qualify for the finals if they draw away to La Roja in Seville, or if Norway drop points in either of their two matches in Cyprus or at home to the Spaniards.
Spain can also book their spot in Germany if they beat both the Scots and the Norwegians, and Erling Haaland and Co fail to defeat Cyprus.
Group B: France
Like Scotland, France have won five games out of five, and another victory over the Netherlands would seal qualification. That would put the French on 18 points, a tally the Dutch and the Greece can still reach. However, they face each other in Athens on 16 October, which means only one of them could catch the group leaders. Didier Deschamps’ team will also ensure a top-two finish if they draw in Amsterdam and the Greeks lose to the Republic of Ireland.
Group C: England
England will qualify if they beat Italy at Wembley on 17 October and Ukraine fail to win either of their October qualifiers against North Macedonia or Malta. A draw would also be enough for Gareth Southgate’s side if the Ukrainians lose both games.
Group D: Croatia, Turkey
If Croatia and Turkey take at least four points from their two fixtures in October, they will both seal their spot in Germany provided Armenia and Wales both lose their one qualifier (against Latvia and the Croats respectively) this month.
Group F: Belgium, Austria
In Group F, both Belgium and Austria need just one more victory to ensure there is nothing left to play for in the November window. They face each other in Vienna on 13 October before the Austrians travel to Azerbaijan and the Belgians host Sweden. If the Swedes lose in Brussels, not only will The Red Devils qualify, that will also ensure Austria feature in Germany, even if they fail to pick up any more points.
Group G: Hungary
Hungary will qualify for a third successive European Championship if they defeat both Lithuania and Serbia, and Montenegro fail to win in Belgrade on 17 October.
Group H: Slovenia, Denmark
Slovenia and Denmark can qualify from Group H if they win both of their October qualifiers and Finland and Kazakhstan lose both of theirs.
Group J: Portugal
Portugal are the third team with a 100% record and will ensure they finish in the top two in Group J with wins over Slovakia and Bosnia Herzegovina. One victory would also be enough if Luxembourg drop points in either of their matches versus Iceland or the Slovaks.