Qualifying for Euro 2024 will bring this international holiday back to life. Germany as host nation, Austria, Belgium, England, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Turkey, having already validated their ticket, still have 12 sesame pieces at stake in the competition (June 14 – July 14).
European champions Italy intend to defend their place and first hope they will not have to pass through dangerous roadblocks. Just to avoid another scare, after two World Cup absences. Because all the two participating countries will not be known until the end of the qualifiers on March 26.
Italy currently ranks third in Group C, six points behind England and three behind Ukraine, and Italy must win against North Macedonia on Friday to put itself in a better position. It then moves into second place – with a special margin – before facing Ukraine in a crucial away match on Monday.
Switzerland opens the week
In Group A, Switzerland has a chance to qualify on Wednesday (8:45 p.m.) if it beats Israel in a late match. Romania, currently leaders, are also in a good position ahead of facing Israel and Switzerland.
Behind France, who have largely dominated Group B, the Netherlands could qualify if they beat Ireland on Saturday. The Dutch, who have an advantage over Greece in particular, will end their campaign against Gibraltar on Tuesday.
In the group of Turkey, which has already qualified, Wales will qualify (second place, 10 points) if it wins over Armenia and if Croatia loses to Latvia. Croatia (3rd place, 10 points), as a League of Nations finalist beaten by Spain, will be moved to the play-off if it finishes third in Group D.
Poland returns to the wall
Albania, first in Group E, will be present in the Germany match if it does not lose to Moldova on Friday or if Poland wins over the Czech Republic, which ranks second, two points behind Albania. The Czechs will get their ticket if they beat Poland. Three points ahead of Albania despite having a game in hand, the Poles must beat the Czech Republic to remain in the race.
Finally in Group G, Hungary and Serbia are on course to qualify, just like Slovenia and Denmark in Group H and Slovakia in Group H, dominated by Portugal who have already qualified. What is more symbolic is that these last matches will also decide the top scorers in these qualifiers, which is currently dominated by Belgian Romelu Lukaku with ten goals, one goal behind Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo.
The draw for the 2024 European Championship is scheduled to be drawn on December 2nd in Hamburg.
