The final round of qualifying for the European Championship 2024 will begin on Thursday. With the tournament draw set for December 2nd, we are days away from filling in most of the teams that will be participating in Germany next summer.
Going into the November window, here’s how everything stands in each group.
A reminder that the top two teams in each group will qualify directly.
KEY:
x - Qualified
e - Eliminated
Group A:
1. x - Spain 15pts
2. x - Scotland 15pts
—-
3. e - Norway 10pts
4. e - Georgia 7pts
5. e - Cyprus 0pts
Cyprus vs Spain
Georgia vs Scotland
Scotland vs Norway
Spain vs Georgia
Group A is already settled: Spain and Scotland will qualify for the EUROS, while Norway, Georgia and Cyprus cannot advance from the group.
However, Georgia will be advancing to the Nations League playoffs thanks to topping their group last year. This means the nation will advance to a playoff with the other group winners from League C of the Nations League to see how the remaining three teams qualify for the tournament.
Group B:
1. x - France 18pts
2. Netherlands 12pts
—-
3. Greece 12pts
4. e - Ireland 6pts
5. e - Gibraltar 0pts
France vs Gibraltar
Netherlands vs Ireland
Greece vs France
Gibraltar vs Netherlands
After beating Greece in October, the path is very straight forward for the Netherlands. If the Dutch can beat Ireland in Amsterdam on Saturday, they will qualify for the EUROS. Even with a draw or defeat, the Netherlands are likely to beat 198th ranked Gibraltar on November 21st.
Group C:
1. x - England 16pts
2. Ukraine 13pts
—
3. Italy 10pts
4. e - North Macedonia 7pts
5. e - Malta 0pts
England vs Malta
Italy vs North Macedonia
Ukraine vs Italy
North Macedonia vs England
Italy is in a difficult situation after losing to England in October. The Azzurri have two games remaining, and will qualify with a win against North Macedonia PLUS a draw against Ukraine.
The last time the Italians played North Macedonia at home, a late goal knocked Italy out of contention for the 2022 World Cup. This time in Rome, North Macedonia has nothing to play for, while Italy needs all three points going into the final match against Ukraine.
Ukraine will need to beat the Italians having already lost in Milan. This means that with a draw, Italy will advance due to a superior head-to-head record if both teams are level on points.
Group D:
1. x - Turkey 16pts
2. Wales 10pts
—-
3. Croatia 10pts
4. Armenia 7pts
5. e - Latvia 3pts
Armenia vs Wales
Latvia vs Croatia
Croatia vs Armenia
Wales vs Turkey
After beating Croatia in Cardiff, qualification for the EUROS is in Wales’ hands with two games remaining. Two wins against Armenia and Turkey will see Robert Page’s side qualify for a third consecutive European Championship.
Croatia will likely need to win both its matches against Latvia and Armenia, while hoping Wales drop points. Due to the Welsh having a better head-to-head record, Wales need to match or better Croatia’s results in order to finish in the top 2.
On the outside looking in, Armenia poses a small chance of qualifying from the group. At home against Wales and then away to Croatia, two wins for the Armenians could potentially leap them into 2nd place, though they would also need other results going their way.
Group E:
1. Albania 13pts
2. Czech Republic 11pts
—
3. Poland 10pts
4. Moldova 9pts
5. e - Faroe Islands 1pt
Moldova vs Albania
Poland vs Czech Republic
Albania vs Faroe Islands
Czech Republic vs Moldova
Four teams separated by four points: Group E is one of the most competitive groups in the qualifying campaign so far.
Albania just need one point from the next two games to qualify for only its second ever EUROS.
The most intriguing part of the group is that all four teams will have at least one game against each other this November. Poland only has one game remaining, which is a must-win game in Warsaw against the Czech Republic.
Two wins for either Moldova or the Czechs will ensure themselves a place at the EUROS. It will likely come down to the final matchday on Monday, where Moldova travels to the Czech Republic in a win-or-go home deciding match.
Group F:
1. x- Belgium 17pts
2. x - Austria 16pts
—--
3. e - Sweden 7pts
4. e - Azerbaijan 4pts
5. e - Estonia 1pt
Azerbaijan vs Sweden
Estonia vs Austria
Belgium vs Azerbaijan
Sweden vs Estonia
Group F has been wrapped up: Belgium and Austria will qualify for the EUROS.
Azerbaijan and Estonia will be keeping their eyes on the scoreboard while hoping a place in the Nations League playoffs opens for them. Sweden has been eliminated entirely from the tournament.
Group G:
1. Hungary 14pts
2. Serbia 13pts
—-
3. Montenegro 8pts
4. e - Lithuania 6pts
5. e - Bulgaria 2pts
Bulgaria vs Hungary
Montenegro vs Lithuania
Hungary vs Montenegro
Serbia vs Bulgaria
Hungary is the favorites to advance from Group G. All that’s needed is one point from its two games against Bulgaria and Montenegro to qualify for the summer’s tournament.
Despite having qualified for multiple World Cups, Serbia has never reached a European Championship. A win against Bulgaria on Sunday will confirm its place in Germany next summer. Serbia can also qualify if Montenegro fails to beat Lithuania in Podgorica. Montenegro themselves needs to win both its games, and hope for Serbia to slip up against Bulgaria.
Group H:
1. Slovenia 19pts
2. Denmark 19pts
—
3. Kazakhstan 15pts
4. e - Finland 12pts
5. e - Northern Ireland 6pts
6. e - San Marino 0pts
Kazakhstan vs San Marino
Finland vs Northern Ireland
Denmark vs Slovenia
Northern Ireland vs Denmark
San Marino vs Finland
Slovenia vs Kazakhstan
The fairy tale story for Kazakhstan continues after defeating Finland in October, putting them still within a chance of finishing in the top 2 of Group H.
A victory against already-eliminated San Marino will ensure Kazakhstan of entering the final match in Slovenia with a chance of booking a ticket to the EUROS. The winner of Denmark and Slovenia will clinch qualification, and the loser will still need a result on the final day to qualify.
Despite being eliminated from finishing in the top 2, Finland has advanced to the Nations League playoffs and will get another chance at going to Germany.
Group I:
1. Romania 16pts
2. Switzerland 15pts
—
3. Israel 11pts
4. Kosovo 10pts
5. e - Belarus 6pts
6. e - Andorra 2pts
Israel vs Switzerland
Israel vs Romania
Belarus vs Andorra
Switzerland vs Kosovo
Andorra vs Israel
Kosovo vs Belarus
Romania vs Switzerland
All eyes will be on Wednesday where Israel will play Switzerland. Due to the current conflict in Israel, all Israeli home games will take place at a neutral venue. Regardless, Israel will need to get a result against Switzerland to stay alive in the group.
Group leaders Romania will have the opportunity to put one hand on EURO qualification with its match against Israel. A loss, however, could shake up the group. Kosovo are still in the hunt of making its first ever appearance at the EUROS.
Group J:
1. x - Portugal 24pts
2. Slovakia 16pts
—
3. Luxembourg 11pts
4. Iceland 10pts
5. e - Bosnia and Herzegovina 9pts
6. e - Lichtenstein 0pts
Lichtenstein vs Portugal
Luxembourg vs Bosnia
Slovakia vs Iceland
Bosnia vs Slovakia
Liechtenstein vs Luxembourg
Portugal vs Iceland
Slovakia only needs a point in two games against Iceland and Bosnia to ensure a place at the EUROS. Luxembourg is likely to go to the Nations League playoff, while Iceland will still need help from other teams.
Bosnia cannot reach the top 2 in this group, but have guaranteed themselves of a playoff after topping its Nations League group last season.