The excitement is building up as Europe’s finest football teams vie for a coveted spot in Euro 2024, set to be hosted in Germany. The qualifying playoffs present a thrilling phase of the tournament, where dreams are made and hopes crushed. This article dives into the nuts and bolts of the Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs, demystifying the pathways teams take to secure their place in this prestigious tournament.

The Structure of the Playoffs

The Euro 2024 qualifying playoffs are a critical component of the overall qualification process. They offer a lifeline to teams that didn’t secure automatic qualification through the group stages. A total of 24 teams will ultimately compete in Euro 2024, and the playoffs determine the final four places in the tournament.

The playoff spots are allocated based on performances in the UEFA Nations League. This relatively recent addition to UEFA’s competitions has given more nations a direct pathway to major tournaments. There are four playoff paths – Path A, Path B, Path C, and Path D – each hosting four teams. The winner of each path secures a place in Euro 2024.

Deciding Who Plays

The playoff teams are chosen based on their performance in the UEFA Nations