Euro 2024 - Who's already there?

Published on 20 October 2023 at 20:00

With only one international break remaining this year, the European Championships in Germany are beginning to take shape. So without further ado, let's take a look at the nine teams that have already booked their places in Deutschland next summer...

 

 

Germany - Where else to start than the hosts? Since World Cup winning manager, Joachim Low stood down from the role in 2021, the German National Team has looked completely out of sorts. Despite this, with the recent appointment of young, tactical whizz-kid, Julian Nagelsman and a star-studded squad at his disposal, you'd be foolish to write the German's off in their own backyard.

 

France - Didier Deschamps' side will also have despairing memories of Qatar, after their agonising defeat to Argentina in the final. However, since then Kylian Mbappe and co have looked unstoppable, with a 100% record in qualifying. The European Championships is the only International competition Deschamps is yet to win as France boss, so best believe Les Bleus will go into the tournament with something to prove.

 

 

Portugal - With twenty-four points, the Portuguese also currently have a 100% record in qualifying. With players like Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao, the 2016 winners aren't as heavily reliant on the attacking genius of Cristiano Ronaldo as they once were, although at the tender age of 38, CR7 is still their top scorer in qualifying, with an impressive nine goals in eight games. 

 

Belgium - The only man with more goals in qualifying than Ronaldo is Belgium striker, Romelu Lukaku. The Red Devils' 'golden generation' may be in its twilight years but with youthful talent such as Jeremy Doku, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere breaking into the squad, as well as the experience of Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku, Domenico Tedesco's team have the potential go far in the tournament.

 

Spain - The Nation's League holders have been scoring goals for fun in qualifying and will be a force to be reckoned with next June. Sergio Busquets was the last remaining player from Spain's successful 'tiki-taka' era, his retirement in 2022 highlights that this is a new generation for the Spanish team. With the likes of Ansu Fati, Gavi and Lamine Yamal coming through, the future is extremely bright for La Roja.

 

 

Scotland - Steve Clarke's men have made it two Euros from two in what is the country's best ever qualification campaign. The Scots have famously never made it beyond the group stage of a major tournament but the tartan army will go to Germany confident that there fortunes are about to change.

 

Read more: The Scots are off to Germany!

 

Turkey - It's three Euros in a row for Vincenzo Montella's side as they currently sit top of a difficult group, containing Croatia and Wales. Turkey are usually known for their formidable home record, however it's been on the road where they have picked up maximum points this campaign. The Turks seemed to be everyone's 'dark horse tip' at Euro 2020 but didn't get a single point.

 

Austria - In a group with Belgium and Sweden, it may come as a surprise to some that Austria have booked their place in Germany so early. However, since Ralf Rangnick took charge last year, the team have gone from strength to strength. With the experience of Marko Arnautovic, Marcel Sabitzer and David Alaba, Austria supporters will be quietly confident their team can go far next summer.

 

England - Following their agonising loss on penalties to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England will be desperate to go one better in Germany. After almost a 60 year wait for a major international trophy as well as having the likes of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka in their arsenal, you get the impression anything less than the Henri Delaunay Trophy will be deemed as a failure for Gareth Southgate.

 

Read more: Who are the most OVERRATED managers around today?

 

 

Will France be too good? Is it Englands to lose? Will Scotland make it by the groups? Please let us know your thoughts regarding Euro 2024 in the comments below...

 

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