The UEFA European Championship, arguably one of the most prestigious football tournaments, will see its next installment unfold in 2024. The roadmap to Euro 2024 involves an intricate qualification process designed to ensure that only the best teams make it to the final tournament, promising exciting and competitive matches for fans worldwide. In this breakdown, we delve into the step-by-step qualification journey that national teams undertake to secure their spots in the tournament.

Qualification Groups and Draw

The initial phase of the qualification process begins with a draw conducted by UEFA, where participating national teams are divided into groups. This draw is formulated based on the UEFA national team coefficients, which account for past performance in international competitions. Typically, these groups consist of five to six teams each. The primary aim is to balance these groups in terms of competitiveness, ensuring an equitable start for all involved.

Home and Away Matches

Once grouped, the teams engage in a round-robin format where they play against each other both home and away. This setup not only verifies teams’ capabilities on their home turf but also challenges them to perform in foreign environments. Points are awarded based on match outcomes — three for a win, one for a draw, and