The highly anticipated UEFA EURO 2024 final tournament draw took place on Saturday, December 2nd, setting the stage for an exciting competition. Football fans around the globe eagerly awaited the results to see how the 24 qualified teams would be grouped for the initial phase of the tournament. The draw ceremony commenced at 6:00 PM CET, broadcast live to millions.
Location of the EURO 2024 Draw Ceremony
The prestigious Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany served as the venue for the Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw. Hamburg, a vibrant port city, is among the ten German cities selected to host EURO 2024 matches. This iconic concert hall witnessed the draw that determined the fate of the teams, and it will also be a key city during the tournament itself, hosting four crucial group stage matches in addition to a quarter-final clash.
Exterior view of Elbphilharmonie Hamburg at dusk
EURO 2024 Group Stage Draw Results: Groups Unveiled
The draw revealed the composition of the six groups for the EURO 2024 group stage. Here’s a breakdown of each group:
Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Play-off winner A, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner B
Group F: Türkiye, Play-off winner C, Portugal, Czechia
Qualification Paths to the EURO 2024 Draw
Germany, as the host nation, gained automatic qualification for the tournament. Joining them were 20 additional teams who secured their places by finishing in the top two of their respective groups in the European Qualifiers. The remaining three spots will be decided through the EURO play-offs in March 2024. These play-off matches will involve twelve teams based on their performance in the 2022/23 Nations League. The play-offs will consist of six semi-finals on March 21st, followed by three finals on March 26th, ultimately completing the 24-team lineup for EURO 2024.
EURO 2024 Draw Procedure: Pots and Positions Explained
Prior to the draw, teams were categorized into four pots (Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4) based on their performance in the qualifying group stage. Host nation Germany was pre-assigned to Pot 1 and automatically placed in Group A, position A1, meaning they were not part of the draw process itself. The three play-off winners were placed in Pot 4.
To determine each team’s specific position within their assigned group, six additional pots (Pots A, B, C, D, E, F) were used. Pots B through F each contained four balls, representing positions 1 to 4 within each group. Pot A had only three balls for positions A2, A3, and A4, as position A1 was already occupied by Germany. This detailed procedure ensured a fair and structured draw for the EURO 2024 group stage.
Watching the EURO 2024 Draw and Tournament Format
Fans had multiple options to watch the EURO 2024 draw live, including a comprehensive list of broadcasters available. The draw was also streamed live on UEFA.com and through the official UEFA EURO 2024 app, ensuring accessibility for fans worldwide.
The EURO 2024 tournament format will mirror the successful format used in UEFA EURO 2020. The top two teams from each of the six groups, along with the four best third-placed teams, will advance to the round of 16. From there, the tournament progresses through a knockout stage, featuring the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and culminating in the final match to determine the EURO 2024 champion.
