24 groups certified for Euro 2024, however just one can raise that well-known trophy in Berlin on 14 July.
For some, Euro 2024 will likely be a celebration. The extra unlikely qualifiers are travelling to Germany with a glimmer of hope, however the alternative to play at a serious worldwide event with tens of millions watching internationally is the true motivation.
For others, solely victory counts. The event favourites will likely be anticipated to ship on the massive stage no matter type or latest historical past, with nothing however the victor’s cup satisfying Europe’s elite nations.
Here’s a complete rating of all 24 sides at this summer time’s event, from the underdogs to the big-hitters.
Just one staff is making their European Championship debut this summer time and that is Georgia. They did it the exhausting manner, qualifying by way of the play-offs regardless of ending fourth of their group, however that will not matter one bit to FIFA’s Seventy fifth-ranked facet in world soccer.
Their talisman, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, will draw most consideration, even when his type hasn’t been fairly as extraordinary for Napoli as of late, and the winger will likely be aiming to fireplace his nation to some shock outcomes at their first ever main worldwide event.
Albania had been definitely not anticipated to complete above Euros regulars Czech Republic and Poland in Euro 2024 qualification, however that is precisely what they did as they topped their group with a good 15 factors.
It is going to be solely their second look within the competitors having additionally certified for Euro 2016, however they’ve relatively sadly been drawn into the ‘group of loss of life’ alongside Spain, Italy and Croatia. Removed from supreme.
Considerably surprisingly, this will likely be Slovenia’s first Euros since 2000. Regardless of boasting the likes Atletico Madrid stopper Jan Oblak and thrilling RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, they are not anticipated to make a giant splash in Germany.
Being drawn into a gaggle with England and Denmark – sides that reached the semis or additional at Euro 2020 – is not an excellent begin, with Slovenia having by no means reached the knockout levels of a serious event.
Romania are extra common qualifiers for main tournaments than Slovenia, however they’re one of many few sides heading to Germany with out a notable talisman to name upon. Nonetheless, that might really show helpful come the event.
As a substitute of counting on a few star performers, Romania’s staff cohesion helped them qualify for the event with little fuss. They had been unbeaten throughout ten group stage matches, profitable six and beating Switzerland to high spot.
Slovakia might properly have topped their qualification group as properly had it not been for an invincible Portugal facet. They are going to face Romania within the group levels, with each side combating Belgium and Ukraine for secure passage to the knockouts.
Slender defeats to 2016 champions Portugal in qualifying will provide them hope of pulling off an upset having now certified for a 3rd successive Euros.
A nation that tends to underperform on the massive stage, Poland’s gamers got here near watching Euro 2024 from their sofas. They solely squeezed previous Wales on penalties within the play-off remaining having collected a disappointing 11 factors in qualifying.
Veteran Barcelona ahead Robert Lewandowski will as soon as once more carry their hopes in his proper boot, however latest event performances counsel he might wrestle to tug them very far.
Having topped Poland in qualifying, Czech Republic will fancy their possibilities of mixing it with the massive boys this summer time. Having been drawn into a gaggle with Portugal, they must do exactly that.
The 1976 champions can now not depend on the greatness of previous heroes equivalent to Pavel Nedved and Petr Cech, as a substitute having to play above themselves in Germany.
Having been drawn into a gaggle with France, Germany and Portugal at Euro 2020, Hungary nonetheless proved one of many success tales of the event. They might have completed useless final of their group, however they managed spectacular attracts in opposition to the French and the Germans.
A Dominik Szoboszlai-inspired Hungary will meet Germany once more this event, together with Scotland and Switzerland, and England followers know higher than anybody else how difficult they are often following their 4-0 demolition of the Three Lions in 2022.
As harsh because it sounds, Serbia have been perennial underachievers on the worldwide stage. That is really their first Euros marketing campaign as an unbiased nation, however proficient squads have didn’t get out of the group levels on the two most up-to-date World Cups.
Aleksandar Mitrovic might properly be the difference-maker for Serbia – who face England in Group C – with the previous Fulham man coming into the event off the again of a 40-goal season in Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine proceed to be the feel-good story in worldwide soccer, qualifying for an additional main event regardless of the continuing Russian invasion. Their spirit and togetherness is extraordinary.
However they do not journey to Euro 2024 merely to make up the numbers. Within the likes of Premier League stars Mykhailo Mudryk and Oleksandr Zincehnko, in addition to in-form Girona duo Viktor Tsygankov and Artem Dovbyk, Ukraine have sufficient to succeed in the quarter-finals of the event on the very least.
Having beforehand not appeared on the Euros within the twenty first century, Scotland have now certified for successive tournaments. A mediocre return in 2021 must be improved upon in Germany this 12 months, with plenty of Premier League stars fronting the Tartan Military’s push for the knockouts.
Andy Robertson is the standout identify as Scotland’s skipper, however the likes of John McGinn, Billy Gilmour and purpose machine Scott McTominay might all show decisive. Video games in opposition to hosts Germany, Hungary and Switzerland are troublesome however manageable fixtures.
Having been labelled Euro 2020’s ‘darkish horses’ and ending up backside of their group with zero factors, Turkey have some making up to do that summer time. They topped a qualification group that contained 2022 World Cup semi-finalists Croatia, whereas additionally conquering a spirited Wales facet.
Hakan Calhanoglu will lead the cost within the centre of the pitch, with younger Kenan Yildiz of Juventus and Arda Guler of Actual Madrid offering some aptitude within the remaining third. In supervisor Vincenzo Montella, they’ve somebody who reached the Euro 2000 remaining as a participant.
Switzerland have develop into an extremely robust staff to come back up in opposition to, but their Euro 2020 quarter-final run was their greatest efficiency at a serious event. They’re a staff virtually destined to succeed in the spherical of 16 earlier than heading out in barely underwhelming circumstances.
A staff with no main stars however a stable basis, Switzerland might present a shock having knocked France out of Euro 2020 and brought Spain to penalties. The same old acquainted faces will likely be there – Xherdan Shaqiri, Granit Xhaka and Fabian Schar will all seem – however they do have younger skills like Noah Okafor to trigger a component of chaos.
Having shaken off a rocky interval as momentary Manchester United supervisor, Ralf Rangnick has restored his popularity as the pinnacle coach of Austria. They completed behind Belgium in qualifying, however had been 9 factors forward of third-placed Sweden.
A squad made up virtually totally of gamers who play in Austria or Germany, they’ve their work minimize out to qualify from a gaggle that additionally incorporates the Netherlands and France. Nonetheless, given a third-placed end could also be sufficient, passage to the knockouts stays a definite chance.
Having endured a traumatic Euro 2020 following Christian Eriksen’s collapse on the pitch, Denmark reached the semi-final of the event. If it wasn’t for a dodgy England penalty within the remaining 4, the 1992 winners might have made it to the showpiece occasion at Wembley.
Having endured a torrid 2022 World Cup marketing campaign, Denmark fought off competitors from Finland and Kazakhstan to qualify for this summer time’s event, they usually have a historical past of inflicting upsets at main tournaments. They are going to meet with England as soon as once more within the group levels and can fancy their possibilities of revenge.
Very like Serbia however on a a lot grander scale, Belgium have didn’t stay as much as expectations at main tournaments. Their ‘golden era’ at the moment are retired or of their 30s, with expectations having fallen considerably forward of Euro 2024 this summer time.
Nonetheless, one man might show the distinction, and that is Man Metropolis star Kevin De Bruyne. He will likely be seeking to tee up Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard as commonly as attainable, however a median defence might be Belgium’s undoing.
By no means write off Croatia. Luka Modric might now be 38, with lots of his favorite friends additionally hitting the twilight of their careers, however they virtually at all times ship on the largest stage.
The 2018 World Cup finalists, who reached the semis in Qatar in 2022, are inclined to spring a shock at any time when they flip up at a serious event, they usually must do exactly that to navigate a ridiculous group that additionally incorporates Spain and Italy.
The much less stated concerning the Netherlands’ latest main event performances the higher. They did not even qualify for Euro 2016 or the 2018 World Cup, however hope has been renewed by a formidable wanting squad led by the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Matthijs de Ligt and Cody Gakpo.
A very good mix of youth and expertise ought to assist the Dutch be aggressive this summer time, though they are going to reunite with acquainted foes France having misplaced twice to the 2018 world champions in qualifying. It is robust to foretell what you are going to get from 1988 European champions.
Lots has occurred since Italy had been topped European champions in 2021. They missed out on the 2022 World Cup after a humiliating defeat to North Macedonia and Roberto Mancini is now not the supervisor guiding them by means of a serious event.
That job has fallen to Scudetto-winning former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti, who has made a mediocre begin to life within the Italy dugout. Solely three of the squad travelling to Germany do not play in Serie A, which might be a blessing or a curse come the event itself.
All eyes will likely be on Cristiano Ronaldo this summer time in what is probably going his remaining main event with Portugal. The Al Nassr ahead guided his nation to glory again in 2016, however could not handle the identical at Euro 2020 regardless of ending the event as joint high scorer.
Roberto Martinez hasn’t bought the best monitor file at main tournaments with Belgium, however he has been handed an extremely proficient squad filled with match-winners this time spherical.
With the burden of a nation on their shoulders, hosts Germany have their fair proportion of doubters forward of Euro 2024. Rightly so, with the three-time European champions having failed to succeed in the knockout levels on the 2022 World Cup, ending behind Japan and Spain.
Having seen Joachim Low and Hansi Flick dismissed for the reason that final Euros, Julian Nagelsmann is the person tasked with uniting a rustic this summer time. They’ve the gamers to do exactly that, however confidence ranges may have taken a big hit over the previous few years. For as soon as, Germany are fallible.
Having dominated the late 2000s and early 2010s, profitable Euro 2008 and 2012, Spain are now not the drive they as soon as had been. Nonetheless, at their core they continue to be a technically-gifted and well-drilled facet, reaching the semi-final of the earlier European Championship.
Luis de la Fuente is lucky sufficient to have a few of the most proficient kids in world soccer at his disposal, together with Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal, and he additionally boasts the most effective defensive midfielder in world soccer in Rodri.
We have been right here earlier than. It is a acquainted image as England head into a serious event as one of many favourites for the crown, but it surely’s exhausting to argue in opposition to that tag given the wealth of world-class gamers accessible to Gareth Southgate.
Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden are among the many greatest on the planet and up to date main event performances have been encouraging if finally heart-breaking. With Southgate more likely to name time on his Three Lions profession after Germany, might he log off with a historic triumph?
Placing patriotism and blind religion to at least one facet, France are the favourites for this summer time’s event and boast probably the most well-rounded squad of any nation. Having been a penalty shootout out away from being topped world champions once more in 2022, Didier Deschamps’ facet are relentlessly sensible.
In Kylian Mbappe they’ve the celebrity of world soccer, however France are way over a one-man staff. They’ve high quality throughout the pitch, with no apparent weak point inside their ranks. The one hope for opposition groups is that knockout soccer can throw up loopy outcomes, because it did when Switzerland despatched them packing from Euro 2020 within the final 16.