The Euro 2024 groups have been drawn – this is who each nation will face to reach the knockouts
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Euro 2024 groups were drawn back in December, with 24 countries forming six different pools this year.
In each of the six groups of four, the top two will progress. The four best third-placed teams will also qualify for the knockout rounds, with the remaining eight sides eliminated.
The Euro 2024 groups are now complete, too, following the playoffs. Everyone knows, therefore, which nations they'll be taking on in Germany.
Here, FourFourTwo runs the rule over all six groups.
Euro 2024 groups
Euro 2024 will start and finish at the Olympiastadion (Image credit: Getty Images)
Group A
Hosts Germany headline Group A (Image credit: Getty Images)
Group A is where Euro 2024 all begins, with hosts Germany taking on Scotland – appearing at their second successive Euros – in Munich.
Following their humiliating 2022 World Cup group stage exit, the Germans will be expected to advance from a group that, on paper, they ought to win.
Of course, though, tournaments don't always play out that way, and the Scots, Euros regulars Switzerland and an ascendant Hungary team will all fancy their chances of reaching the last 16.
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Group B
Can Italy emulate Group B opponents Spain to become just the second team to retain the Euros? (Image credit: Getty Images)
Here we have it: Group B, Euro 2024's group of death – featuring holders Italy, two-time European champions Spain, 2018 World Cup finalists and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, and one of the tournament outsiders, Albania.
Ok, it's not quite as deathly as groups of death have been in the past – Spain and Italy are both teams in transition (the latter didn't even qualify for the last World Cup) – but that arguably makes it even more fixating.
Croatia, as always, will back themselves to make it into the knockout stage, while Albania – appearing at just their second major tournament, the last one being Euro 2016 – will surely be sniffing an upset or two.
Group C
Star men Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham will be key to England's Euro 2024 hopes (Image credit: Getty Images)
England's bid to end [checks notes] 58 years of hurt and win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup (and their first Euros) begins in Group C – which they start as clear favourites.
Among the Three Lions' opponents are Denmark, who they dramatically beat in extra time to reach the final of Euro 2020. Can the Danes bounce back from the disappointment of an early exit at the 2022 World Cup and produce another strong Euros showing?
Completing the Group C line-up are Serbia – appearing on this stage for the first time since Euro 2000, when they competed as FR Yugoslavia – and Slovenia, back in a major tournament for the first time since the 2010 World Cup.
Group D
Will France talisman Kylian Mbappe turn it on at a major finals once more? Probably (Image credit: Getty Images)
Another intriguing foursome, Group D of Euro 2024 pits two-time European champions France – one of the pre-tournament favourites – against 1988 winners the Netherlands, Austria and Poland.
The French flopped at the last Euros, suffering a shock last 16 exit to Switzerland, but Didier Deschamps' side have been runners-up at least in the other three major tournaments since 2016. Packing elite talent like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, they can't be taken any less lightly than usual.
A relatively youthful Netherlands team will also be hoping to go well in Germany, having not progressed beyond the last eight of the Euros for 20 years, while Ralf Rangnick's Austria could be one to watch.
Group E
Belgium enter Euro 2024 looking to bounce back from their miserable 2022 World Cup group stage exit (Image credit: Getty Images)
One of two open-looking groups to complete the first round of Euro 2024, Group E is headlined by a Belgium team who've moved into a new era under Domenico Tedesco. The highest-ranked nation of this four, they'll be expected to top the table.
Slovakia are will be aiming to make the last 16 for the second time as they appear at their third Euros (in succession), while Romania have kept up their record of qualifying for alternate Euros since 2000.
Ukraine will also be competing at the tournament, after overcoming Iceland.
Group F
Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal once more at what seems likely to be his final tournament (Image credit: Getty Images)
Group H of Euro 2024 will feature two former European champions, with 2016 winners Portugal and 1976 winners the Czech Republic (then Czechoslovakia) taking part.
Portugal, now coached by former Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, are among the bookies' favourites to lift the trophy, with skipper Cristiano Ronaldo preparing for what, at the age of 39, will surely be his major tournament swansong.
The Portuguese posted a 100% record in qualifying, while Turkey also won their group – and they'll have their sights set on a decent showing in Germany after limping out at the first hurdle of Euro 2020, where they were considered dark horses. Georgia will also be at the tournament, after beating Greece.
Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.
