Euro appearances: 10 Euro Titles: 2 Best finish: Winners (1968, 2020) Euros Record: W21 D18 L6 Goals scored: 52 Biggest win: 3-0 (vs Turkey and vs Switzerland in Euro 2020) Player to watch: Federico Dimarco World ranking: 9th Group Fixtures:
Italy arrives at the Euros as defending champions, but the title comes without the aura; it has been gradually eroding since that incredible summer night at Wembley, London, in 2021.
Less than a year after their crowning glory at the Euros, the Azzurri encountered the ignominy of missing out on the 2022 Qatar World Cup after a stunning stoppage time goal saw them lose their playoff semifinal to football minnows North Macedonia.
Their qualification campaign for Euro 2024 was similarly fraught.
After their first two qualifiers – a loss to England and a win over Malta – Italy were rocked by the resignation of manager Roberto Mancini after more than five years in the job.
He was replaced by Luciano Spalletti, whose first game in charge was a 1-1 draw, which also happened to be against their 2022 nemesis, North Macedonia. With only one victory in their first three games, Euro 2024 qualification suddenly looked precarious.
A run of three wins in four matches saw Italy go into the final group game against Ukraine, knowing a loss would see them enter the playoffs. A tense goalless draw secured direct passage to the Euros owing to their superior head-to-head record.
Bet gone wrong
To go along with their qualification woes, the Italian side’s preparations were rocked by a betting scandal that saw the police visit the national team’s Coverciano training centre ahead of their qualifiers in October to question Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo. The duo subsequently left the camp and Tonali was later handed a 10-month ban by the Italian Football Federation.
Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli was also handed a seven-month ban after being found guilty in the investigation, but he was named in Italy’s final 26-man squad for Euro 2024.
His inclusion is indicative of the dearth of attacking options in front of Spalletti.
Zaniolo and forward Domenico Berardi were ruled out of the tournament through injury, while Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne no longer play their club football in Europe and have faded from national favour.
Injuries have hindered Federico Chiesa’s progress, with the 26-year-old Juventus forward yet to recapture the form that saw him light up Euro 2020.
Gianluca Scamacca, who scored 19 goals for Europa League winners Atalanta this season, is expected to lead the front line but he has scored just once for Italy in his 15 appearances.
Giacomo Raspadori is the other striking option at Spalletti’s disposal, but he has managed only 12 goals across the last two seasons.
Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for his part in a betting scandal added to Italy’s Euro 2024 qualification woes [Lee Smith/Reuters]
Defence is the best form of attack
All this points to a side that will be built around its defence. Unsurprisingly, Azzurri are not lacking for talent in this department – their 30-man preliminary squad features 11 eleven defenders.
Of these 11, four were from Inter Milan – prior to Francesco Acerbi’s late injury withdrawal – and given the Nerazzurri’s parsimonious defence this year, the remaining three Inter defenders are all likely to start in Germany.
The 22 goals Inter conceded in the Serie A this season are the lowest among all clubs in Europe’s top five leagues. The feat was achieved playing a back-three. So, replicating a system with a group of defenders already comfortable playing in it feels an almost no-brainer for Spalletti’s national team at Euro 2024.
The manager fielded a three-man defence for the first time in his tenure in the March 2024 friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador, with Italy going on to win both. The sample size is small but the ceiling could be high.
A backline comprising of Alessandro Bastoni and Alessandro Boungiorni – the likely Acerbi replacement – with Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian at wing-back is, on paper, one of the best defences at Euro 2024.
But will that be enough to take them deep in the tournament?
Spalletti admitted in an interview with Sky Italia that there are other countries that are at a higher level than Italy but backed his team to compete with them.
“Our target is to return from Germany and hear Italians say, ‘We are proud of you,’” he said.
Italy’s Matteo Darmian (L) and Federico Dimarco will need to fortify the Italian defence if the reigning champs are to hold on to their title at Euro 2024 [Jennifer Lorenzini/Reuters]
Drawn in a difficult group that includes Spain, Croatia and Albania, even a quarterfinal finish would go a long way towards helping Spalletti meet this objective.
If the Italians can pull off an unlikely tournament coup, they will join Germany and Spain as the record three-time European champions.
⚽ Italy’s final squad for Euro 2024 ⚽
Captain: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)
Euro appearances: 11 Euro titles: 3 Best finish: Winners (1964, 2008, 2012) Euros record: W21 D15 L10 Goals scored: 68 Biggest win: 5-0 (vs Slovakia at Euro 2020) Player to watch: Lamine Yamal World ranking: 8th Group fixtures:
15 June: Spain vs Croatia (Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6pm local/16:00 GMT)
The meekness of Spain’s dramatic exit from the 2022 Qatar World Cup has overshadowed what’s been a relatively successful period for the star-studded team.
Spain reached the semifinals of Euro 2020, where they were knocked out on penalties by eventual champions Italy.
In June 2023, they won the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Nations League – their first title since the team’s memorable Euro 2012 triumph.
The Nations League victory was significant for three main reasons.
First, beating Croatia in the final on penalties exorcised the demons of the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where Spain shockingly failed to score a single penalty in their round of 16 exit to Morocco.
Second, there were huge volts of confidence from a late win over Italy in the Nations League semifinal and beating Italy and Croatia, both of whom are in the same Euro 2024 group as Spain.
Third, new Spain manager Luis de la Fuente getting a taste of silverware early into his reign ensured buy-in from his players as they head into Euro 2024.
New Spain coach Luis de la Fuente is leaning on young players like Lamine Yamal to perform at Euro 2024 [Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters]
Smells like teen spirit
De la Fuente is no stranger to success with the national team.
He won the Euros with the Spanish Under-19 and Under-23 teams and was in charge of the national side that won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
So, it comes as no surprise that the squad he’s picked for Euro 2024 is young and hungry for success.
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal, 16, has made the cut while fellow La Masia graduate Fermin Lopez, 21, has earned his first call-up to the national side.
Twenty-one-year-olds Pedri and Nico Williams also feature in De la Fuente’s 26-man squad.
Yamal is almost certain to start for Spain at Euro 2024 and in doing so, he’ll become the youngest-ever player to make an appearance at the European championship.
The sublimely talented winger has already set a list of extraordinary records in his young career: youngest scorer for his club team Barcelona, youngest scorer in LaLiga history and youngest scorer for the Spanish national team.
While Yamal is the main attraction in this Spain side, its most important player is Manchester City star, Rodri.
The 27-year-old defensive midfielder has emerged as the de facto leader of the national side.
His partnership in the midfield with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi – a duo De la Fuente dubbed the “best midfielders in the world in their position” – will be key to Spain’s chances at the Euros.
Villarreal’s Alex Baena, who has the most assists in the LaLiga this season, and Aleix Garcia, a key member in Girona’s Champions League qualifying campaign, are other sound options for De la Fuente to call upon in midfield.
Defensive midfielder Rodri is Spain’s on-pitch leader [Juan Medina/Reuters]
One step forward, one step back
Center forward is an area of concern for Spain.
Alvaro Morata will lead the line in Germany, but the Atletico Madrid forward’s form has tailed off after a strong start to the season. He has scored just twice since the start of March.
Joselu has managed a respectable 17 goals for Real Madrid this season, including a stunning brace against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinal, but he’s far from being a bankable option in international match play.
Given the makeup of the Spain squad, which along with being youth heavy also includes seven players above the age of 30, it’s tough to predict which way their campaign will swing.
Entering Euro 2024 in Germany as a near-unknown entity under a new manager making his major tournament debut could end up working in Spain’s favour.
⚽ Spain’s final squad for Euro 2024 ⚽
Captain: Alvaro Morata
Goalkeepers: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
Euro appearances: 13 Euro Titles: 3 Best finish: Winners (1972, 1980, 1996) Euros Record: W27 D13 L13 Goals scored: 78 Biggest win: 3-0 (most recent vs Slovakia in Euro 2016) Player to watch: Florian Wirtz World ranking: 16 Euro 2024 Group Matches: Scotland (June 14), Hungary (June 19), Switzerland (June 23)
A general disillusionment with the national team, a squad trapped in transition and the appointment of a charismatic new coach in advance of a home tournament: take a whiff and you’ll find it smells like 2006 in Germany.
Manager Jurgen Klinsmann was at the helm for Die Mannschaft – which directly translates as “The Team” – at the World Cup 18 years ago. Julian Nagelsmann is in the hot seat for the Euro 2024.
In 2006, a youthful German side captured the nation’s imagination, staging an unlikely run to the semifinals. In 2024, a similar campaign is hoped for – but not necessarily expected.
It’s been a harrowing few years for the three-time winner of the European football championship, who, since Euro 2016, have not won a knockout game at a major tournament.
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was their second successive group stage exit, and following their 4-1 loss to Japan last September, Hansi Flick became the first Germany boss to be fired from the role.
Friendly fire
Germany has won just five of their 13 games since Qatar. But it is the last two – which came in the March international window – that have seen optimism spread throughout the country before Euro 2024.
The first rule of international football is: Do not put any weight on friendlies. Given how bereft of joy German fans have been in recent years, it is understandable why they were swept up by the wins over France (2-0) and Netherlands (2-1).
But it was not completely without reason.
After some tinkering in his first four games, Nagelsmann settled on a 4-2-3-1 formation for the two friendlies and just like that, it all clicked.
The trio of Jamal Musiala, Ilkay Gundogan and Florian Wirtz with Kai Havertz in midfield infused the attack with dynamism. Jonathan Tah and Antonio Rudiger brought solidity to the backline.
Wing-back was where Nagelsmann had experimented the most – Havertz, Niklas Sule, Robin Gosens, Benjamin Henrichs and Tah were all fielded in the position before March.
But in Joshua Kimmich and Stuttgart’s Maximilian Mittelstaedt, Nagelsmann appears to have found his preferred duo to flank the centrebacks. Mittelstaedt made his debut in the win against France and three days later, scored his first international goal against Netherlands.
Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, right, will need to get the most out of his players if his team is going to compete with the favourites at Euro 2024 [Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
Kroos to the rescue
Central to the whole system, of course, is superstar Toni Kroos.
The Real Madrid midfielder has been coaxed out of retirement and seven seconds into his return, set up Wirtz’s opener against France with one of his archetypal clipped passes.
In addition to the balance Kroos brings to the side, his presence frees up Gundogan to operate off the top of the attack. It is a role similar to the one he thrived in at Manchester City, where he was shielded by Rodri.
Nagelsmann had signed a short-term contract with Germany until the end of the Euros, but in April agreed to stay on until after the 2026 World Cup. He cited the friendlies in March – and the reaction they evoked across the country – as reasons for his extension.
“This is a decision of the heart. It is a great honour to be able to train the national team and work with the best players in the country,” Nagelsmann said.
“With successful, passionate performances we have the chance to inspire an entire country.
The two wins against France and the Netherlands in March really touched me. We want to play a successful home European Championship together and I’m really looking forward to it together with my coaching team Challenge of a World Cup.”
The 36-year-old manager has been bold in his selections for the Euros.
Mats Hummels, who starred in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the Champions League final, has been overlooked as has Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka.
Beyond talent, the Germany squad comprises players in a rich vein of form.
Havertz and Wirtz are coming off standout campaigns for Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
Kroos, meanwhile, has rolled back the years for Madrid with his performances this year, and Rudiger has established himself this season as one of the best defenders in the world.
It will take a combined effort from Germany’s Thomas Muller, Maximilian Mittelstadt, Toni Kroos, Joshua Kimmich and Robin Koch if they are to win a record fourth European football championship [Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters]
The fact that Germany is the Euro 2024 host is key, not least because qualification might have proved an issue had that not been the case.
Home support – and the manner in which they harness it – will be crucial to Germany’s chances.
Drawn in a tricky group with Switzerland, Scotland and Hungary, a strong start to Euro 2024 will be essential to build momentum.
Much like the 2006 World Cup staged in Germany, the Euros could be the dawn of a new era for the national team on home soil – or, if they crash and burn in front of their legions of fans, there is likely to be a major squad rebuild in the run-up to the 2026 World Cup campaign.
Germany Euro 2024 squad:
Captain: Ilkay Gundogan
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (VfB Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (VfB Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)
Euro 2024 kicks off in Germany when the hosts take on Scotland at Munich’s Allianz Arena in Group A on June 14, Friday.
High-profile players and breakout stars from the best leagues in the world will compete in the month-long Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) championship.
Here’s a look at our top 10 players to watch during the tournament:
⚽ Jude Bellingham (England)
Jude Bellingham’s stunning debut season at Spanish mega club Real Madrid has rapidly turned the attacking English midfielder into one of the hottest commodities in European football.
Bellingham took the Spanish giants by storm with 18 league goals in the 2023-24 season, helping Madrid win the La Liga title and reach the Champions League final.
Apart from his impressive statistics, the 20-year-old’s leadership qualities and winning mentality have earned him the status of a hero among the Bernabeu faithful.
Bellingham will be keen to build on his spectacular club performance and could be the X factor in England’s Euro 2024 campaign, as they look to claim a maiden European nations title.
England’s chances at Euro 2024 may rest with how well star midfielder Jude Bellingham performs in Germany [Matthew Childs/Reuters]
⚽ Florian Wirtz (Germany)
Florian Wirtz was named the Bundesliga’s Player of the Year for his key role in Xabi Alonso’s revolutionary 2023-24 title-winning team at Bayer Leverkusen, as the attacking midfielder racked up the joint second-most assists (11) and scored an equal number of goals.
Wirtz is one of the brightest stars to emerge out of Germany in the last decade, with a rare talent to control and dominate the midfield in a way few other players in world football can.
If host Euro 2024 nation Germany is to have any chance of winning the trophy on home soil, Wirtz will need to be at his impactful best in order for them to succeed.
Germany’s hopes of securing a home Euros title rest on the 21-year-old shoulders of attacking midfield sensation Florian Wirtz [Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters]
⚽ Xavi Simons (Netherlands)
Xavi Simons is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia Academy and his game boasts admirable traits of ‘Total Football’ – a tactical system common in Dutch and Spanish football in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player – allowing the 21-year-old to impact a game from a multitude of positions.
At RB Leipzig, Simons operated on both wings and also as an attacking midfielder, carrying the ball around, maximising possession and creating goal-scoring opportunities for his teammates.
If given the game time and attacking liberty by manager Ronald Koeman, Simons can be a standout player for the Netherlands, allowing the Dutch a puncher’s chance to defeat the main contenders at Euro 2024.
Xavi Simons’ sublime talent on the Dutch national team elevates the Netherlands from pretenders to contenders at Euro 2024 [Piroschka Van De Wouw/Reuters]
⚽ Rasmus Hojlund (Denmark)
Having joined Manchester United as their most expensive signing in the summer of 2023, Rasmus Hojlund fully justified his price tag, scoring 10 English Premier League goals and at just 21 years old, becoming the youngest player to reach double-figure goals in the 2023-24 EPL season.
After overcoming injury issues and a form slump, Hojlund emerged as a promising attacking talent in the final months of the Premier League and will be keen to carry that form into Euro 2024.
In the past year, Hojlund has also thrived at an international level, leading Denmark’s attack with a sizzling seven goals during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Euro 2024 could be forward Rasmus Hojlund’s breakout party as Denmark dare to dream of their first European championship since their miraculous Euro 1992 title [Liselotte Sabroe/Reuters]
⚽ Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium)
Playmaker Kevin De Bruyne was the midfield maestro behind Manchester City’s victorious 2023-24 English Premier League (EPL) title charge, orchestrating the Sky Blues’ charge to their fourth straight EPL title.
The Belgian was almost unstoppable in the second half of the season for City and is on form at the right time with Euro 2024 beginning mid-June.
Belgium will hope De Bruyne is fit and firing for the Euros, where they could benefit from his experience in a new-look squad that is hoping to improve on the team’s quarterfinal appearances at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020.
Victorious Manchester City captain Kevin De Bruyne, in white, will be hoping to lead Belgium to Euro 2024 glory, as well [Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters]
⚽ Kenan Yildiz (Turkey)
Eighteen-year-old Kenan Yildiz transformed Max Allegri’s dull Juventus side in Italy’s Serie A, helping the defensive-minded team score far more than expected.
His presence improved not only his fellow striker Dusan Vlahovic’s form, but also Juve’s wingbacks, allowing them space between the lines.
As one of Serie A’s most exciting attackers, Yildiz stands on the brink of stardom for Turkey, for whom he scored his first international goal against Germany in November last year.
Euro 2024 will be a homecoming of sorts for the lanky forward: Yildiz was born in Regensburg, Germany to a Turkish father and a German mother.
He will be hoping to elevate Turkey to at least the quarterfinals after the country was disappointingly knocked out at the group stage in the last two Euros.
Talented Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz will return to his place of birth in Germany with one thing on his mind: winning his country’s first Euro title [Fabrizio Bensch/Reuters]
⚽ Lamine Yamal (Spain)
At just 16 years old, Lamine Yamal already has set a list of extraordinary records in his young career: youngest scorer for Barcelona, youngest scorer in La Liga history and youngest scorer for the Spanish national team.
This Spanish wonderkid’s explosive nature on the wings and unique ability to find the back of the net makes him one of the best options the national team will have in attack at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Euro 2024 may turn out to be the global coming-out party for the player many believe is one of the greatest 16-year-old prospects to ever play the game.
Spain already co-holds the record for European championship victories with Germany at three a piece. Yamal’s once-in-a-generation potential might yield an unprecedented fourth trophy for Spain.
Lamine Yamal’s extraordinary talent landed him in the Barcelona team at just 16. Can this superbly gifted winger similarly impress at Euro 2024 as a key part of a stacked Spanish side hungry for glory? [Albert Gea/Reuters]
⚽ Phil Foden (England)
Phil Foden’s impressive haul of 19 goals and eight assists for Manchester City earned him the Player of the Season award, as his side clinched a record fourth successive English Premier League title.
The 23-year-old impressed in an attacking midfield position for City and should Gareth Southgate play him in the same position instead of out wide, Foden could be the Three Lions’ dangerman.
England nearly won their first Euro title just three years ago at the COVID-19-affected 2021 edition, agonisingly losing on penalties to Italy in the final.
A breakout tournament from Foden may be the extra weapon they need up front to finally end their Euros title drought.
England are hoping Phil Foden’s winning habits at Manchester City can rub off on the national team as they aim for a maiden Euro title in 2024 [Carl Recine/Reuters]
⚽ Kylian Mbappe (France)
Known for his mesmerising dribbling, speed and clinical finishing, Kylian Mbappe has been one of the premier players on an awesome France national team in recent years.
The 25-year-old, who will wear the captain’s armband at the Euros, heads into the tournament on the back of a terrific final season with Paris Saint-Germain, scoring a whopping 44 goals in all competitions. Mbappe has signed on to play for Real Madrid next season.
With Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo now in the twilight of their illustrious careers, Euro 2024 represents the ideal platform for Mbappe to signal to the global footballing community that he is ready to be crowned the world’s greatest player – and that there’s no better way to do that than by leading France to their first European Championship in 24 years.
A standout Euro 2024 performance by superstar striker Kylian Mbappe is France’s best chance of securing a first European Championship since 2000 [Stephane Mahe/Reuters]
⚽ Josko Gvardiol (Croatia)
Josko Gvardiol arrived at Manchester City primarily as a central defender, but the 22-year-old spectacularly transformed into a goal-scoring left back, making him one of the Premier League’s biggest matchup nightmares for opposing teams.
In the 2023-24 EPL season, when he wasn’t torturing opposing forwards and keeping clean sheets, Gvardiol also chipped in on the offensive end for City, scoring a handy five goals and bagging three assists in all competitions.
This rare defender-turned-attacker hybrid sensation is also versatile enough to play in a defensive midfield role for Croatia, allowing their captain Luka Modric to dictate the game in midfield.
Gvardiol’s unique skill set positions Croatia nicely to play the role of spoiler at Euro 2024.
As one of the best defenders in the world, Josko Gvardiol gives Croatia a great chance to record their best performance ever at a European Championship [Antonio Bronic/Reuters]
The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is hosted by Germany and will kick off on June 14, with the final on July 14.
In the opening match of the tournament, Germany take on Scotland in Munich on June 14.
The Euro 2024 final will take place on July 14 in the capital, Berlin.
Ten cities have been chosen as venues across Germany – Berlin, Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Leipzig, Munich and Stuttgart.
A total of 24 teams divided into six groups will be taking part in the tournament, with 51 matches in total.
The group stage of the tournament will run until June 26, with the 16-team knockout stage scheduled to begin on Saturday, June 29.
To qualify for the knockout stage, nations must finish top two in their group to automatically qualify, while four third-place finishers will also advance.
Here are the details on the teams, groups, match fixtures, kickoff times and venues for Euro 2024:
Groups and teams
⚽ Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland ⚽ Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania ⚽ Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England ⚽ Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France ⚽ Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine ⚽ Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic
Format
Teams will be divided into six groups, consisting of four teams each. The top two sides from each group along with the best four third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16.
Winners of the last-16 will proceed to the quarterfinals followed by the semifinals and the final.
In the knockout stage, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, extra time (two periods of 15 minutes each) will be played. If still tied after extra time, the match will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
Al Jazeera has a dedicated fixtures page listing the entire Euro 2024 match schedule, featuring all the kickoff times, venues and real-time goal updates.
Match Schedule
⚽ Group Stage
14 June Group A: Germany vs Scotland (Munich Football Arena, Munich, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
15 June Group A: Hungary vs Switzerland (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group B: Spain vs Croatia (Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group B: Italy vs Albania (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
16 June Group D: Poland vs Netherlands (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group C: Slovenia vs Denmark (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group C: Serbia vs England (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
17 June Group E: Romania vs Ukraine (Munich Football Arena, Munich, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group E: Belgium vs Slovakia (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 6pm local16:00 GMT) Group D: Austria vs France (Düsseldorf Arena, Düsseldorf, 9pm local19:00 GMT)
18 June Group F: Turkey vs Georgia (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group F: Portugal vs Czech Republic (Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
19 June Group B: Croatia vs Albania (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group A: Germany vs Hungary (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group A: Scotland vs Switzerland (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
20 June Group C: Slovenia vs Serbia (Munich Football Arena, Munich, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group C: Denmark vs England (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group B: Spain vs Italy (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
21 June Group E: Slovakia vs Ukraine (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group D: Poland vs Austria (Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group D: Netherlands vs France (Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
22 June Group F: Georgia vs Czech Republic (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 3pm local/13:00 GMT) Group F: Turkey vs Portugal (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 6pm local16:00 GMT) Group E: Belgium vs Romania (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
23 June Group A: Switzerland vs Germany (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 9pm local/19:00 GMT) Group A: Scotland vs Hungary (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
24 June Group B: Croatia vs Italy (Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, 9pm local/19:00 GMT) Group B: Albania vs Spain (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
25 June Group D: Netherlands vs Austria (Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group D: France vs Poland (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 6pm local16:00 GMT) Group C: England vs Slovenia (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 9pm local/19:00 GMT) Group C: Denmark vs Serbia (Munich Football Arena, Munich, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
26 June Group E: Slovakia vs Romania (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group E: Ukraine vs Belgium (Stuttgart Arena, Stuttgart, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) Group F: Czech Republic vs Turkey (Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, 9pm local/19:00 GMT) Group F: Georgia vs Portugal (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
Rest days on 27 and 28 June
Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt is one of the 10 host stadiums for Euro 2024 [Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP]
⚽ Round of 16
29 June
2A vs 2B (Olympiastadion, Berlin, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) 1A vs 2C (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
30 June
1C vs 3D/E/F (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) 1B vs 3A/D/E/F (Cologne Stadium, Cologne, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
1 July
2D vs 2E (Dusseldorf Arena, Dusseldorf, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) 1F vs 3A/B/C (Frankfurt Arena, Frankfurt, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
2 July
1E vs 3A/B/C/D (Munich Football Arena, Munich, 6pm local/16:00 GMT) 1D vs 2F (Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, 9pm local/19:00 GMT)
The UEFA European Championship 2024 will begin on June 14 with 24 teams competing for the right to be crowned champions of Europe.
Ahead of the month-long tournament, Al Jazeera takes a look at some of the high-profile players who are missing from the showpiece event in Germany.
Norway’s messy qualification leaves top duo stranded outside Euros
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard narrowly missed out on winning the 2023-24 Premier League trophy, which was coincidentally lifted on the final day of the season by his good friend Erling Haaland’s Manchester City for a record fourth time in a row.
While Odegaard and Haaland enjoyed hugely impressive individual performances in the Premier League – and are beloved by their clubs and country – both will be forced to sit out the European summer after their nation, Norway, stunningly failed to qualify for Euro 2024.
Norway, who have not played in a major football tournament since 2000, and who, despite being stacked with these two superstar players, finished a disappointing third in their group in the qualifying phase behind Spain and Scotland, failed to secure an automatic berth. Later, their playoff hopes were extinguished as well.
Even a thumping six-goal haul by Haaland during the Euro 2024 qualifiers was not enough to earn Norway passage to the tournament, while Odegaard’s two-goal contribution from the midfield was evidently not enough to get his team over the hump.
With a talented squad also featuring Fredrik Aursnes, Oscar Bobb and Julian Ryerson, it’s fair to say that Norway is the biggest shock omission from the Euro 2024 tournament, and a huge disappointment for the millions of fans who follow this talented pair.
Norway’s Erling Haaland celebrates a goal in happier times with Martin Odegaard [Christine Olsson/Reuters]
Manchester United duo miss England call after poor season
Misfiring forward Marcus Rashford was left out of Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for the Euros, just a year and a half after his dynamic outing at the World Cup in Qatar.
The 26-year-old suffered a loss in form in 2023-24, registering a paltry eight goals in 43 games in all competitions – a huge drop from the 30 goals he scored in the previous season.
Rashford’s omission from the national football squad was undoubtedly the biggest shock to English fans, as he had been a familiar presence in Southgate’s squad for years.
Rashford was not the only player in Manchester United’s underachieving 2023-24 side who failed to make the England Euros squad.
Jadon Sancho’s difficult spell at Old Trafford in the first half of the season proved to be a deciding factor as Southgate left him out, too.
The star winger found his form on his return to Borussia Dortmund on a loan move in January, helping the German club earn a place in the Champions League final, but it came too late to get Sancho back in the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024.
England’s Jadon Sancho (L) and Marcus Rashford won’t get a chance to avenge their Euro 2020 final loss to Italy at Wembley [Carl Recine/Reuters]
Pogba leaves a huge hole in France’s midfield
With his flashy, once-in-a-generation displays in midfield, the technically gifted Paul Pogba played a major role in France’s World Cup victory in 2018 but was forced to miss the 2022 edition in Qatar due to injuries.
Despite returning to fitness this season, Pogba will not play in the upcoming Euros after the Juventus midfielder was handed a four-year doping ban for testing positive for a banned drug.
The ban, which runs until September 2027, also puts the French superstar out of the next World Cup in 2026, effectively ruling out Pogba from the national team until he is in the twilight of his career at age 34.
Pogba’s absence in the midfield will be a huge blow for France, especially given his proven track record with the national team at major tournaments.
In Pogba’s absence, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni will try to fill the huge talent void in the French midfield.
France’s hopes of Euro 2024 glory were severely dented when Paul Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban [Daniele Mascolo/Reuters]
Austria’s Alaba will be at the Euros – but not on the field
Austria’s David Alaba was left out of coach Ralf Rangnick’s provisional squad due to an injury – but there was an unexpected twist to this story.
In an unusual decision, the defender will still be on the plane with the rest of the Austrian team to Germany and will play a role at Euro 2024.
Alaba, who played in two of Austria’s previous Euros appearances in 2016 and 2020, has been named a “nonplaying captain” by the national football federation after the 31-year-old stressed he wanted to be with the team at the tournament.
After a discussion with his club Real Madrid, Rangnick confirmed Alaba will travel with the Austrian squad, despite ongoing rehabilitation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury.
Alaba, known as a positive-minded, team-first player, will continue to play the captain’s role of squad leader and motivator at Euro 2024 – and one would now expect, he’ll also play the key role of head cheerleader from the sidelines.
Even without Alaba on the pitch, Austria has a star-studded squad including Marcel Sabitzer, Marko Arnautovic and Konrad Laimer as the small Alpine nation tries to qualify out of a tough group featuring France, Poland and the Netherlands.
Pre-injury, David Alaba was flying high for Austria on the football pitch. Now, he will support the team from the bench as a nonplaying captain at Euro 2024 [Matthias Schrader/AP]
Unlucky Gavi to miss out for Spain
Top-rated central midfielder Gavi, a regular for Barcelona and Spain, will not play for La Roja at the Euros as he, too, continues to recover from an ACL injury.
The 19-year-old picked up the knee injury during Spain’s Euro qualifier against Georgia in November.
Ruling him out until the start of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona were said to be furious with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente’s decision to play Gavi in that match, as his side had already sealed qualification for Euro 2024 in the previous game.
The coach, responding to a plethora of complaints over Gavi’s workload, lamented the unfortunate – some would say unnecessary – injury as “an accident, a misfortune”.
The young midfielder’s absence will be huge for Spain, though they have a good mix of youth and experience in the squad with Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Dani Carvajal and Aymeric Laporte all ready to step into the large shoes of Gavi.
Spain’s Gavi reacts after being injured in a Euro 2024 qualifying match against Georgia [Juan Medina/Reuters]Gavi will be hoping that Spain can win a record fourth Euros title without him in the team [Juan Medina/Reuters]
Italy are the title defenders, having won the last edition by beating England in the final on penalties.
The 2024 edition marks the return of the tournament to its usual four-year cycle after the 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Here’s everything you need to know about Euro 2024:
What are the key dates?
The monthlong championship will start on June 14 at the Munich Football Arena with hosts Germany playing Scotland.
The group stage will run until June 26 with the knockout stage beginning on June 29. The final will be played on July 14 at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
This will be the first time Germany has hosted the tournament since its unification in 1990. The 1988 edition was staged in what was then West Germany.
Germany was chosen as the host nation at a UEFA Executive Committee meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, in 2018. Turkey was the only other nation that bid to host the tournament.
Where is the tournament being held?
Ten venues have been chosen for the tournament. Of those, nine were used when Germany hosted the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Munich will stage matches for the second Euro in succession, having been one of 11 venues that held matches during Euro 2020.
Munich Football Arena will be one of the stadiums used during Euro 2024 [Alexandra Beier/AFP]
How many teams are taking part?
Twenty-four teams divided into six groups will participate in the tournament. There will be 51 matches in total.
⚽ Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland ⚽ Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania ⚽ Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England ⚽ Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France ⚽ Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine ⚽ Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic
Georgia are the only team making their European Championship finals debut while Ukraine and Poland qualified via the playoffs.
Who are the favourites?
France, Germany, England, Portugal and Spain are among the frontrunners.
Portugal were the only side who won all their games during the qualifying phase while France and England were unbeaten and Spain lost only one match.
Germany are also considered one of the favourites on account of being the hosts, even though they had a disappointing performance at the 2022 World Cup.
Which key teams failed to qualify?
Sweden and Norway are the two big names who failed to qualify for Euro 2024. The Swedes did not make the cut for the Euros for the first time since 1996 while Norway have not played since 2000.
Their failure to qualify means fans will miss out on watching high-profile Premier League players such as Erling Haaland, Martin Odegaard and Alexander Isak in Germany.
Manchester City superstar striker Erling Haaland will not take part in Euro 2024 after Norway failed to qualify [Marko Djurica/Reuters]
What is the tournament format?
The top two teams from each group along with the four best third-place finishers will progress to the round of 16. That will be followed by the quarterfinals, semifinals and the final.
The Euro 2024 winner will compete in the 2025 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions against the 2024 Copa America winner.
What is the squad size?
UEFA, which governs European football, confirmed in May that the maximum squad size will increase from 23 to 26 players.
Teams were allowed 26-man squads at Euro 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic, but UEFA had initially planned to revert to the 23-man teams at Euro 2024.
Expanded squads were also permitted at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar because it was played in the middle of the domestic season.
Expanded squads are beneficial for managers as the busy schedule at the club level creates more risk of injuries to players.
When do teams have to submit their squads?
Participating countries had until June 7 to provide UEFA with a squad list containing a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26.
The trophy that 24 teams will be playing for at Euro 2024 [Alexandra Beier/AFP]
Ilkay Gundogan is the captain of hosts Germany and Portugal will be led by their veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Georgia will play at the Euros for the first time, while Ukraine and Poland qualified via playoffs.
All participant nations have named their final squads, consisting of a minimum of 23 players and a maximum of 26. All teams were required to name at least three goalkeepers.
Here’s how the 24 teams will line up for Euro 2024:
(Al Jazeera)
Albania
Captain: Berat Djimsiti
Goalkeepers: Etrit Barisha (Empoli), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella)
Defenders: Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Adrian Ismajli (Empoli), Arlind Arjeti (CFR Cluj-Napoca), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo), Enea Mihaj (FC Famalicao), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow).
Midfielders: Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce), Klaus Gjasula (SV Darmstadt 98), Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Kristjan Asllani (Internazionale), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Medon Berisha (Lecce)
Defenders: Stefan Posch (Bologna), Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Kevin Danso (Lens), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Flavius Daniliuc (Red Bull Salzburg), Gernot Trauner (Feyenoord), Leopold Querfeld (Rapid Vienna)
Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim), Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Florian Kainz (Cologne), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alexander Prass (Sturm Graz), Matthias Seidl (Rapid Vienna)
Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Inter Milan), Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg), Andreas Weimann (West Brom), Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg), Marco Grull (Rapid Vienna), Maximilian Entrup (TSV Hartberg).
Belgium
Captain: Kevin De Bruyne
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Wolfsburg), Thomas Kaminski (Luton Town), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)
Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Maxim De Cuyper (Club Brugge), Zeno Debast (Anderlecht), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Thomas Meunier (Trabzonspor), Jan Vertonghen (Anderlecht), Arthur Theate (Stade Rennais), Axel Witsel (Atletico Madrid)
Midfielders: Yannick Carrasco (Al Shabab), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Orel Mangala (Lyon), Amadou Onana (Everton), Youri Tielemans (Aston Villa), Arthur Vermeeren (Atletico Madrid), Aster Vranckx (Wolfsburg)
Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta), Jeremy Doku (Manchester City), Romelu Lukaku (AS Roma), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal).
Defenders: Josip Stanisic (Bayer Leverkusen), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Josko Gvardiol (Manchester City), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Ajax), Borna Sosa (Ajax), Domagoj Vida (AEK Athens), Josip Juranovic (Union Berlin)
Midfielders: Lovro Majer (Wolfsburg), Mateo Kovacic (Manchester City), Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Marcelo Brozovic (Al Nassr), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Luka Ivanusec (Feyenoord), Luka Sucic (Red Bull Salzburg), Martin Baturina (Dinamo Zagreb)
Forwards: Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Ivan Perisic (Hajduk Split), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Marko Pjaca (Rijeka), Marco Pasalic (Rijeka)
Defenders: Vladimir Coufal (West Ham United), David Doudera (Slavia Prague), Tomas Holes (Slavia Prague), Robin Hranac (Viktoria Plzen), David Jurasek (Hoffenheim), Ladislav Krejci (Sparta Prague), Martin Vitik (Sparta Prague), Tomas Vlcek (Slavia Prague), David Zima (Slavia Prague)
Midfielders: Antonin Barak (Fiorentina), Vaclav Cerny (Wolfsburg), Lukas Cerv (Viktoria Plzen), Matej Jurasek (Slavia Prague), Ondrej Lingr (Feyenoord), Lukas Provod (Slavia Prague), Michal Sadilek (FC Twente), Tomas Soucek (West Ham), Pavel Sulc (Viktoria Plzen)
Forwards: Adam Hlozek (Sparta Prague), Tomas Chory (Viktoria Plzen), Mojmir Chytil (Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague), Patrik Schick (Sparta Prague)
Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
France
Captain: Kylian Mbappe
Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United), Mike Maignan (AC Milan), Brice Samba (Lens)
Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Marseille), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: Giorgi Kvilitaia (Apoel Nicosia), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Napoli), Budu Zivzivadze (Karlsruher SC), Georges Mikautadze (Metz)
Germany
Captain: Ilkay Gundogan
Goalkeepers: Oliver Baumann (TSG Hoffenheim), Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)
Defenders: Waldemar Anton (VfB Stuttgart), Benjamin Henrichs (RB Leipzig), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Robin Koch (Eintracht Frankfurt), Maximilian Mittelstadt (VfB Stuttgart), David Raum (RB Leipzig), Antonio Rudiger (Real Madrid), Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund), Jonathan Tah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Robert Andrich (Bayer Leverkusen), Chris Fuhrich (VfB Stuttgart), Pascal Gross (Brighton & Hove Albion), Ilkay Gundogan (Barcelona), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich), Aleksandar Pavlovic (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Bayern Munich), Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Forwards: Maximilian Beier (TSG Hoffenheim), Niclas Fullkrug (Borussia Dortmund), Kai Havertz (Arsenal), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Deniz Undav (VfB Stuttgart)
Hungary
Captain: Dominik Szoboszlai
Goalkeepers: Denes Dibusz (Ferencvaros), Peter Gulacsi (RB Leipzig), Peter Szappanos (Paks)
Defenders: Botond Balogh (Parma), Endre Botka (Ferencvaros), Marton Dardai (Hertha Berlin), Attila Fiola (Fehervar), Adam Lang (Omonia Nicosia), Willi Orban (RB Leipzig), Attila Szalai (SC Freiburg)
Midfielders: Bendeguz Bolla (Servette), Mihaly Kata (MTK), Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Laszlo Kleinheisler (Hajduk Split), Adam Nagy (Spezia), Zsolt Nagy (Puskas Akademia), Loic Nego (Le Havre), Andras Schafer (Union Berlin), Callum Styles (Sunderland)
Forwards: Martin Adam (Ulsan Hyundai), Kevin Csoboth (Ujpesti), Daniel Gazdag (Philadelphia Union), Krisztofer Horvath (Kecskemet), Roland Sallai (SC Freiburg), Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool), Barnabas Varga (Ferencvaros).
Italy
Captain: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)
Defenders: Nathan Ake (Manchester City), Daley Blind (Girona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Denzel Dumfries (Inter Milan), Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen), Lutsharel Geertruida (Feyenoord), Matthijs de Ligt (Bayern Munich), Micky van de Ven (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)
Goalkeepers: Wojciech Szczesny (Juventus), Lukasz Skorupski (Bologna), Marcin Bulka (Nice)
Defenders: Jan Bednarek (Southampton), Bartosz Bereszynski (Empoli), Jakub Kiwior (Arsenal), Tymoteusz Puchacz (Kaiserlsuatern), Bartosz Salamon (Lech Poznan), Pawel Dawidowicz (Verona), Sebastian Walukiewicz (Empoli)
Midfielders: Kamil Grosicki (Pogon Szczecin), Piotr Zielenski (Napoli), Przemyslaw Frankowski (Lens), Sebastian Szymanski (Fenerbahce), Jakub Moder (Brighton), Damian Szymanski (AEK Athens), Nicola Zalewksi (Roma), Bartosz Slisz (Atlanta United), Michal Skoras (Club Brugge), Jakub Piotrowksi (Ludogorets Razgrad), Taras Romanczuk (Jagiellonia Bialystok), Kacper Urbanski (Bologna)
Forwards: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona), Karol Swiderksi (Verona), Krzysztof Piatek (Istanbul Basaksehir), Adam Buksa (Antalyaspor)
Portugal
Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Patricio (AS Roma)
Defenders: Antonio Silva (Benfica), Danilo Pereira (Paris St Germain), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Neves (Benfica), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Otavio Monteiro (Al Nassr), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain)
Forwards: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Diogo Jota (Liverpool), Francisco Conceicao (Porto), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain), Joao Felix (Barcelona), Pedro Neto (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rafael Leao (AC Milan).
Defenders: Nicusor Bancu (Universitatea Craiova), Andrei Burca (Al Okhdood), Ionut Nedelcearu (Palermo), Adrian Rus (Pafos FC), Andrei Ratiu (Rayo Vallecano), Radu Dragusin (Tottenham Hotspur), Vasile Mogos (CFR Cluj-Napoca), Bogdan Racovitan (Rakow Czestochowa)
Midfielders: Nicolae Stanciu (Damac), Razvan Marin (Empoli), Alexandru Cicaldau (Konyaspor), Ianis Hagi (Alaves), Dennis Man (Parma), Valentin Mihaila (Parma), Marius Marin (Pisa), Darius Olaru (FCSB), Deian Sorescu (Gaziantep), Florinel Coman (FCSB), Adrian Sut (FCSB)
Forwards: George Puscas (Bari), Denis Alibec (Muaither SC), Denis Dragus (Gaziantep), Daniel Birligea (CFR Cluj-Napoca)
Scotland
Captain: Andy Robertson
Goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Liam Kelly (Motherwell)
Defenders: Liam Cooper (Leeds United), Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Jack Hendry (Al-Ettifaq), Ross McCrorie (Bristol City), Scott McKenna (Copenhagen), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Greg Taylor (Celtic), Kieran Tierney (Real Sociedad)
Midfielders: Stuart Armstrong (Southampton), Ryan Christie (Bournemouth), Billy Gilmour (Brighton), Ryan Jack (free agent), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Callum McGregor (Celtic), Scott McTominay (Manchester United)
Forwards: Che Adams (Southampton), Tommy Conway (Bristol City), James Forrest (Celtic), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts)
Midfielders: Sasa Luki (Fulham), Nemanja Gudelj (Sevilla) Nemanja Maksimovic (Getafe), Ivan Ilic (Torino), Srdan Mijailovic (Red Star Belgrade), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al Hilal), Dusan Tadic (Fenerbahce), Lazar Samardzic (Udinese), Veljko Birmancevic (Sparta Prague), Filip Kostic (Juventus), Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK), Filip Mladenovic (Panathinaikos), Mijat Gacinovic (AEK Athens)
Forwards: Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal), Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus), Luka Jovic (AC Milan), Petar Ratkov (FC Salzburg)
Slovakia
Captain: Milan Skriniar
Goalkeepers: Martin Dubravka (Newcastle United), Marek Rodak (Fulham), Henrich Ravas (New England Revolution)
Defenders: Peter Pekarik (Hertha Berlin), Norbert Gyomber (Salernitana), Denis Vavro (FC Copenhagen), Milan Skriniar (Paris Saint-Germain), Adam Obert (Cagliari), David Hancko (Feyenoord), Vernon De Marco (Hatta Club), Sebastian Kosa (Spartak Trnava)
Midfielders: Matus Bero (Bochum), Juraj Kucka (Slovan Bratislava), Tomas Rigo (Banik Ostrava), Patrik Hrosovsky (Genk), Stanislav Lobotka (Napoli), Ondrej Duda (Hellas Verona), Laszlo Benes (Hamburg)
Forwards: David Duris (Ascoli), Tomas Suslov (Hellas Verona), Ivan Schranz (Slavia Prague), Robert Bozeník (Boavista), David Strelec (Slovan Bratislava), Lubomir Tupta (Slovan Liberec), Leo Sauer (Feyenoord), Lukas Haraslín (Sparta Prague)
Slovenia
Captain: Jan Oblak
Goalkeepers: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid), Vid Belec (Apoel Nicosia), Igor Vekic (Vejle BK), Matevz Vidovsek (Olimpija Ljubljana)
Defenders: Petar Stojanovic (Sampdoria), Jaka Bijol (Udinese), Miha Blazic (Lech Poznan), Jure Balkovec (Alanyaspor), Zan Karnicnik (NK Celje), David Brekalo (Orlando City SC), Erik Janza (Gornik Zabrze), Vanja Drkusic (Sochi), Zan Zaletel (Viborg FF)
Midfielders: Timi Max Elsnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Jasmin Kurtic (Sudtirol), Benjamin Verbic (Panathinaikos), Miha Zajc (Fenerbahce), Sandi Lovric (Udinese), Adam Gnezda-Cerin (Panathinaikos), Jon Gorenc Stankovic (Sturm Graz), Timi Max Elsnik (Olimpija Ljubljana), Tomi Horvat (SK Sturm Graz), Adrian Zeljkovic (FC Spartak Trnava), Nino Zugelj (Bodo/Glimt)
Forwards: Josip Ilicic (NK Maribor), Andraz Sporar (Panathinaikos), Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig), Luka Zahovic (Pognon Szczecin), Zan Celar (FC Lugano), Jan Mlakar (Pisa), Zan Viptonik (Bordeaux)
Spain
Captain: Alvaro Morata
Goalkeepers: Alex Remiro (Real Sociedad), David Raya (Arsenal), Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao)
Defenders: Dani Carvajal (Real Madrid), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Aymeric Laporte (Al-Nassr), Nacho Fernandez (Real Madrid), Robin Le Normand (Real Sociedad), Dani Vivian (Athletic Bilbao), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Midfielders: Rodrigo (Manchester City), Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad), Fabian Ruiz (Paris St Germain), Mikel Merino (Real Sociedad), Pedri (Barcelona), Alex Baena (Villarreal), Fermin Lopez (Barcelona)
High-profile players and breakout stars are expected to dominate the limelight at this year’s European Football Championship.
But the monthlong tournament in Germany is also the final Euros – and in some cases, the final international tournament – for some of the greatest footballers of the 21st century.
Here’s a list of the top five players who are making their final Euros appearance at the 2024 event:
1. Toni Kroos
Midfielder Toni Kroos will hang up his boots forever at the end of the Euros as he tries to lead a fading Germany outfit to a dream championship on home soil.
In what is being called the German’s “last dance” at Euro 2024, it’s also his last chance to win a final trophy as Kroos has also just announced his retirement from club football with Real Madrid as well.
The 34-year-old had already retired from international competition in 2021 but reversed his decision after talks with national coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Known for his sublime creativity, vision and set-piece ability, Kroos was part of Germany’s all-powerful World Cup-winning team in 2014 and the 2010 squad that came third.
The central midfielder will step away from the sport as one of the most decorated players in history, having helped Real Madrid win an astounding 23 trophies.
Few would begrudge – or underestimate – the likeable Kroos capping off a stellar career by winning a fairytale European Championship trophy for the host nation.
Toni Kroos brings a winning mentality and leadership to a German side that is, unusually, not one of the strong favourites at the Euros [Kai Pfaffenbach/Germany]If Kroos can guide Germany to a surprise Euro 2024 championship on home soil, he’ll be universally applauded as a sporting god in his country [Lisi Niesner/Reuters]
2. Olivier Giroud
One of the most underrated strikers ever, France’s Olivier Giroud will step down from international duty after this edition of the Euros, bringing an end to his 13-year journey with the national team.
Giroud, who is his country’s all-time top scorer with 57 goals in 131 appearances, said he decided to retire to “make way for the youngsters”.
The 37-year-old failed to find the net during France’s 2018 World Cup triumph at home – but scored an impressive four goals during their 2022 campaign in Qatar, where they lost the final to Argentina.
Giroud said he has no specific playing time expectations for the Euros but hopes to experience a deep run with France’s next generation of players in what is his final international tour of duty.
Once the Euros are over, Giroud, now very much in the twilight of his decorated career, will continue playing club football for at least two years, having recently signed with Major League Soccer (MLS) team Los Angeles FC on a free transfer from Italian side AC Milan.
France’s Olivier Giroud will cap off his incredible international career with a final go-around at Euro 2024 [Claudia Greco/Reuters]Always a French fan favourite, Giroud wants to celebrate a final international triumph with victory in Germany [Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters]
3. Luka Modric
Croatia’s most capped player of all time, Luka Modric, will again lead the team at the Euros, which will likely be his last major tournament before retirement from international football.
Modric began his international journey with Croatia as an impactful reserve way back at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. The 38-year-old is now in the final stages of a superlative career, and his X factor to single-handedly change the outcome of big games is slowly diminishing.
The creative midfielder’s club football career has just been extended after Modric signed a new one-year Real Madrid contract to keep him at the club until 2025.
Despite his age, Modric will still be a key player for Croatia at the Euros, orchestrating the attack and directing his team from the midfield.
After leading Croatia to a historic second-place finish at the 2018 World Cup and a third spot at the 2022 World Cup, Modric would love nothing more than to upset the titans of the sport and steal the Euro 2024 silverware in his last international hurrah in Germany.
Croatia’s Luka Modric will need to be pinpoint perfect in the midfield for Croatia to challenge for the Euro 2024 title [Antonio Bronic/Reuters]Modric has been the heart and soul of the Croatian national team since the 2006 FIFA World Cup [Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters]
4. Manuel Neuer
The 2024 Euro championship is expected to be the last for Germany’s decorated goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who turned 38 in March.
Neuer has not played for the national team since the 2022 World Cup, where they were knocked out in the group stage. Unluckily, the strong, 1.93-metre (6ft-4-inch) German fractured his leg on holiday after the tournament and was sidelined for almost a year.
The Bayern Munich shot-stopper was expected to make his comeback for Germany during the international friendlies in March but picked up another injury in training, and Marc-Andre ter Stegen donned the gloves in his absence.
Despite being Germany’s first-choice keeper, Neuer will likely not play every match at the Euros as Nagelsmann has selected four goalkeepers in his provisional squad to spread the workload for his injury-prone star keeper.
But if Neuer shakes off the injury shackles and gets his opportunity at Euro 2024, the hometown German fans will get one last chance to cheer on the unique exploits of the “sweeper keeper”, who earned that nickname for his bold habit of roaming deep into the outfield to challenge attackers.
Germany’s Manuel Neuer will need to rise up from recent injury concerns if the host nation is to have any chance of defending against the Euro 2024 super teams [Annegret Hilse/Reuters]Germany will rely on the veteran presence of Neuer and several other key players to navigate through the Euro 2024 group stage [Matthew Childs/Reuters]
5. Cristiano Ronaldo
After being called up by Portugal coach Roberto Martinez, Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play at the Euros for a record sixth time.
At 39 years old, it’s a remarkable achievement for the talismanic forward, whose athleticism and fitness levels have defied age – and he remains an important player for Portugal.
But the 2024 edition is almost certainly the last time fans will enjoy the “Ronaldo experience” at the Euros.
Ronaldo, the highest scorer in international football, will be 43 when the next Euros take place, making his participation highly unlikely. Hungary goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly holds the record for the oldest player at the European Championships at 40 years and 86 days.
Neither Ronaldo nor Portugal have addressed his international future, but given the demanding nature of a forward’s role, it would take nothing less than a miracle for a 40-something player to keep going for another four years until Euro 2028.
However, there is some potentially positive news for Portugal fans post-Euro 2024 – Ronaldo hasn’t ruled out competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Portugal fans will be hoping the 39-year-old Ronaldo still has the Midas touch for scoring goals at Euro 2024 [Pedro Nunes/Reuters]Ronaldo will try to win a second European Championship title for Portugal in Germany to add to his Euro 2016 trophy [Pedro Nunes/Reuters]
Croatia, led by inspirational captain Luka Modric, want to shock the footballing world again at Euro 2024 in Germany.
Perennial overachievers Croatia have made a habit of bucking predictions and making pretournament odds look ridiculous. But while their World Cup record is the envy of many, they have never quite hit the same highs in the European Championship.
With a population of approximately 3.8 million, Croatia’s achievement in reaching the 2018 World Cup final and following that with a run to the semifinals four years later is one of the great underdog stories in the sport’s voluminous annals.
Yet their history in Europe’s continental contest lacks the same shine, with them having never been past the quarterfinals and falling in the last 16 at the previous two editions.
They will hope to put that right at Euro 2024 in Germany, in what will surely be the last hurrah for captain Luka Modric.
The 38-year-old Croatian talisman and schemer-in-chief, who has lifted every trophy going at club level with Real Madrid, would love to crown his incredible career with international honours.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, who has won multiple LaLiga and Champions League trophies, has seen his playing time at Real limited this season but he remains the linchpin in a Croatia side that on paper lacks the star quality of some of their rivals.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic referred to Modric last year as “footballing perfection” and “superior [to others] in every possible way”, but he has also proven a master at melding a team of lesser talents that is almost always greater than the sum of its parts.
Croatia’s Luka Modric will need to be pinpoint perfect in the midfield for Croatia to challenge for the Euro 2024 title [Antonio Bronic/Reuters]
Having had a journeyman career before taking on Croatia in 2017, Dalic’s World Cup achievements, while also reaching the Nations League final in 2023, make him the most successful coach in the country’s history.
In qualifying for the Euros, Croatia finished second in Group D a point behind Turkey, earning five wins in their eight games, with two defeats.
Their top scorer was Andrej Kramaric with four goals and, while those efforts proved important, the team ethos was reflected in the fact that their 13 goals in the qualifiers were spread between seven players.
The first task for Croatia at the tournament will be escaping arguably the hardest of the six groups after they were drawn alongside Spain and Italy in Group B, with the fourth team Albania heavy favourites to exit at the first hurdle.
The group winners, runners-up and best four third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16.
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