The UEFA European Championship, affectionately known as the EURO, is one of the most prestigious international football tournaments globally, second only to the FIFA World Cup in terms of prestige and global viewership. As anticipation builds for EURO 2024, hosted in the heart of Europe, Germany, fans worldwide are eager to know every detail about this quadrennial spectacle. A frequently asked question among enthusiasts and casual viewers alike is: How Many Teams Are Playing In Euro 2024?
This article will dive deep into the structure of EURO 2024, detailing the number of participating teams, how they qualified, and provide a sneak peek into the nations vying for the coveted Henri Delaunay Trophy.
EURO 2024: Featuring 24 Top European Teams
For EURO 2024, just like the previous edition in 2020, a total of 24 national teams will compete for the title of European Champion. This format, featuring 24 teams, was first introduced in EURO 2016 held in France and has been retained for subsequent tournaments, including EURO 2024. This expansion from the previous 16-team format has allowed for greater representation from across Europe, offering more nations a chance to shine on the continental stage and increasing the overall excitement and competitiveness of the tournament.
These 24 teams represent the crème de la crème of European football, having navigated a rigorous qualification process to earn their spot in the final tournament held in Germany. Let’s explore which nations have successfully qualified for EURO 2024.
Qualified Nations for EURO 2024: A Roll Call of European Football Giants and Underdogs
Germany, as the host nation, automatically qualified for EURO 2024. The remaining 23 spots were determined through the European Qualifiers, a series of matches played throughout 2023. Teams were grouped into qualifying groups, and the top two teams from each group secured direct qualification to the EURO 2024 finals. The final three spots were decided through play-offs, involving teams based on their performance in the 2022/23 UEFA Nations League.
Here is the definitive list of the 24 teams that have qualified for EURO 2024, ready to battle it out in Germany:
Albania
- Previous EUROs: 1 (EURO 2016)
- EURO Best Performance: Group Stage (2016)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- Albania will be making their second appearance at the EURO finals. Their debut in EURO 2016 saw them achieve a memorable victory against Romania.
Austria
- Previous EUROs: 3 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Round of 16 (2020)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 8
- Austria is set to participate in their fourth EURO tournament, marking their third consecutive appearance, showcasing their consistent presence in European football.
Belgium
- Previous EUROs: 6 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Runners-up (1980)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 7
- A powerhouse in European football, Belgium will participate in their seventh EURO. They aim to improve upon their quarter-final finishes in the last two editions.
Croatia
- Previous EUROs: 6 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Quarter-finals (1996, 2008)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 10
- Croatia, known for their consistent performance in major tournaments, will be making their sixth consecutive EURO appearance.
Czechia
- Previous EUROs: 10 (most recently EURO 2020, including Czechoslovakia*)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1976 as Czechoslovakia)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 10
- Czechia boasts a rich EURO history, including a title as Czechoslovakia. This will be their eighth successive appearance since the Czech Republic’s formation.
Denmark
- Previous EUROs: 9 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1992)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- Denmark, famously winning the EURO 1992, will be participating in their tenth EURO tournament, looking to replicate past glories.
England
- Previous EUROs: 10 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Runners-up (2020)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 8
- England, with a strong footballing heritage, will participate in their 11th EURO, hoping to build on their runner-up finish in EURO 2020 and claim their first EURO title.
France
- Previous EUROs: 10 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1984, 2000)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 7
- Two-time EURO champions, France are perennial contenders. EURO 2024 will be their 11th appearance, and they aim to add to their trophy cabinet.
Georgia
- Previous EUROs: N/A
- EURO Best Performance: N/A
- Qualification Secured: Play-offs
- Making their historic debut in a major international tournament as an independent nation, Georgia’s qualification is a significant milestone for their football program.
Germany
- Previous EUROs: 13 (most recently EURO 2020, including West Germany*)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1972, 1980 as West Germany, 1996)
- Qualified as: Hosts
- As hosts and three-time champions, Germany will be participating in their 14th EURO, carrying the hopes of a nation and aiming for success on home soil.
Hungary
- Previous EUROs: 4 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Third place (1964)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- Hungary has secured their place in their third consecutive EURO tournament, marking a resurgence on the European stage.
Italy
- Previous EUROs: 10 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1968, 2020)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 10
- The reigning European champions, Italy, will be participating in their 11th EURO, looking to defend their title and continue their legacy in European football.
Netherlands
- Previous EUROs: 10 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1988)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- The Netherlands, EURO 1988 champions, will be making their 11th appearance, bringing their characteristic orange wave and footballing pedigree to EURO 2024.
Poland
- Previous EUROs: 4 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2016)
- Qualification Secured: Play-offs
- Poland, spearheaded by Robert Lewandowski, will be participating in their fifth consecutive EURO, aiming to surpass their quarter-final achievement from EURO 2016.
Portugal
- Previous EUROs: 8 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (2016)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 7
- EURO 2016 champions, Portugal, with Cristiano Ronaldo potentially making his record sixth appearance, will be competing in their 9th EURO.
Romania
- Previous EUROs: 5 (most recently EURO 2016)
- EURO Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2000)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- After missing out on EURO 2020, Romania returns to the EURO stage, hoping to recreate their quarter-final run from EURO 2000.
Scotland
- Previous EUROs: 3 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Group Stage (1992, 1996, 2020)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 8
- Scotland will participate in their second consecutive EURO, and fourth overall, seeking their first-ever victory in the tournament finals.
Serbia
- Previous EUROs: 5 (most recently EURO 2000, as Yugoslavia*)
- EURO Best Performance: Runners-up (1960, 1968 as Yugoslavia)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 10
- Serbia returns to the EURO finals after a lengthy absence, carrying a squad filled with talent and aspirations to make a significant impact.
Slovakia
- Previous EUROs: 5 (most recently EURO 2020, including Czechoslovakia*)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1976 as Czechoslovakia)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- Slovakia, with a history including a EURO title as Czechoslovakia, will be making their third consecutive appearance as an independent nation.
Slovenia
- Previous EUROs: 1 (EURO 2000)
- EURO Best Performance: Group Stage (2000)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 10
- Slovenia makes a return to the EURO stage after a 24-year gap, eager to make a mark in their second ever appearance in the tournament.
Spain
- Previous EUROs: 11 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Winners (1964, 2008, 2012)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 8
- Three-time EURO champions, Spain are aiming for a record fourth title in EURO 2024, participating in their 12th tournament.
Switzerland
- Previous EUROs: 5 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2020)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 9
- Switzerland has become a regular feature in EURO tournaments, making their fifth appearance in the last six editions, with their sights set on surpassing their quarter-final achievement from EURO 2020.
Türkiye
- Previous EUROs: 5 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Semi-finals (2008)
- Qualification Secured: Matchday 8
- Türkiye will participate in their third consecutive EURO, looking to replicate or better their memorable semi-final run from EURO 2008.
Ukraine
- Previous EUROs: 3 (most recently EURO 2020)
- EURO Best Performance: Quarter-finals (2020)
- Qualification Secured: Play-offs
- Ukraine completes the list of 24 teams, making their fourth consecutive EURO appearance, hoping to bring joy and pride to their nation amidst challenging times.
Get Ready for EURO 2024!
So, to definitively answer the initial question, 24 teams will participate in the highly anticipated EURO 2024 in Germany. These teams are composed of a mix of European footballing royalty and ambitious underdogs, promising a tournament filled with thrilling matches, tactical masterclasses, and unforgettable moments. As the tournament approaches, fans are encouraged to delve deeper into each team’s journey, their key players, and their potential path to glory in EURO 2024. The stage is set, the teams are ready – are you?
(Note: * indicates appearances including as part of former nations like Czechoslovakia, West Germany and Yugoslavia)
(Please note: Match schedules and further details for each team are available on the official UEFA EURO 2024 website.)
