The UEFA Euro 2024 draw, eagerly anticipated by football fans across the globe, took place on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023. The ceremony officially commenced at 6:00 PM Central European Time (CET), setting the stage for the upcoming tournament.
Where Did the UEFA Euro 2023 Draw Happen?
The prestigious Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, played host to the UEFA Euro 2024 draw. Hamburg is not just a stunning city; it’s also one of the ten cities selected to host EURO 2024 matches. Football enthusiasts in Hamburg and visitors alike can look forward to experiencing four exciting group stage games and a high-stakes quarter-final within the city during the tournament.
Aerial view of Elbphilharmonie concert hall in Hamburg during UEFA Euro 2024 draw ceremony
Aerial view capturing the grandeur of the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg as it hosted the UEFA Euro 2024 Final Tournament Draw.
UEFA Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw Results
The draw revealed compelling matchups for the group stage of the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament. 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 Path A, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner Path B
Group F: Türkiye, Play-off winner Path C, Portugal, Czechia
These groups promise a series of thrilling encounters, pitting footballing giants against each other and offering opportunities for underdogs to make their mark on the European stage.
Qualification Paths for the UEFA Euro 2024 Draw
Germany, as the host nation, secured automatic qualification for the tournament. Beyond the hosts, twenty additional teams earned their places in the UEFA Euro 2024 draw by finishing in the top two positions within their respective European Qualifiers groups.
The final three spots in the tournament lineup are still up for grabs and will be decided through the EURO play-offs in March 2024. Twelve teams will compete in these play-offs, their participation determined by their performance in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League. The play-off format includes six semi-final matches on March 21st, followed by three final matches on March 26th. The winners of these three final matches will complete the 24-team roster for the final tournament.
How the UEFA Euro 2024 Draw Process Worked
Prior to the Uefa Euro Draw 2023, participating teams were categorized into four pots (Pot 1, Pot 2, Pot 3, and Pot 4). This seeding was based on their performance during the qualifying group stage. While Germany was placed in Pot 1 as hosts, they were not part of the draw process itself as they were automatically assigned to Group A, position A1. The teams that will emerge victorious from the play-offs were placed in Pot 4.
To determine each team’s specific position within their drawn group, six additional pots (Pots A, B, C, D, E, F) were utilized. Pots B through F each contained four balls, representing positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 in their respective groups (e.g., B1, B2, B3, and B4 for Group B). Pot A differed slightly, holding only three balls for positions A2, A3, and A4 within Group A, as position A1 was already designated for Germany. This meticulous procedure ensured a fair and structured draw process for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.
Watching the UEFA Euro 2024 Draw
For fans eager to witness the UEFA Euro draw 2023 live, UEFA provided extensive broadcasting options. A comprehensive list of official broadcasters was made available, ensuring widespread coverage across various regions. Furthermore, the draw was also streamed live on UEFA.com and through the official UEFA EURO 2024 app, making it accessible to fans digitally on their preferred devices.
UEFA Euro 2024 Tournament Format
The UEFA Euro 2024 tournament will maintain the same exciting format as UEFA EURO 2020. From the group stage, the top two teams from each of the six groups will advance to the round of 16. They will be joined by the four best third-placed teams from across all groups, creating a competitive knockout stage.
Following the round of 16, the tournament progresses through a knockout format, featuring quarter-finals, semi-finals, and culminating in the final match. This structure ensures a high level of competition and excitement throughout UEFA Euro 2024, from the group stages to the final whistle.
