EURO 2024: How Many Teams Advance from the Group Stage?

The EURO 2024 tournament will feature 24 national teams vying for the coveted title. Football powerhouses such as England, France, Italy, Spain, Croatia, and Belgium are considered among the favorites, all aiming for a smooth progression through the group stage. Turkey finds itself in Group F, competing against formidable opponents including Portugal, Georgia, and the Czech Republic.

In the European Championship, the path to glory begins in the group stage, where teams battle to secure a spot in the Round of 16. Reaching the knockout phase is the first crucial step towards the ultimate prize. A total of 16 teams will advance to the Round of 16, setting the stage for intense matches as they compete for a place in the quarter-finals. The quarter-final matches are scheduled for July 5-6, followed by the semi-finals on July 9-10, and the grand final showdown on July 14th.

So, how exactly do teams qualify from the EURO 2024 group stage? The tournament format is designed to ensure that the strongest contenders move forward. Across six groups (Groups A, B, C, D, E, and F), each containing four teams, the top two teams from each group automatically secure their places in the Round of 16. This means that after the group stage matches are concluded, twelve teams will have already qualified as group winners and runners-up.

However, the opportunity to advance doesn’t end there for teams finishing third in their respective groups. The four best third-placed teams from across all six groups will also qualify for the EURO 2024 Round of 16. This adds an extra layer of excitement and competition to the group stage, as even teams that don’t finish in the top two still have a chance to progress. The determination of the best four third-placed teams is based on a points system, taking into account their performance in the group stage.

Therefore, a total of 16 teams will compete in the EURO 2024 Round of 16, comprised of the top two teams from each of the six groups and the four best third-placed teams. This structure sets the stage for thrilling knockout matches as the tournament progresses towards the final.

Here’s a breakdown of the EURO 2024 groups:

EURO 2024 Group Stage Lineup

Group A: Germany, Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania
Group C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England
Group D: Poland, Netherlands, Austria, France
Group E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Ukraine
Group F: Turkey, Georgia, Portugal, Czech Republic

EURO 2024 Match Schedule and Key Dates

From the Round of 16 onwards, the tournament transitions to a single-elimination format. Every match becomes a high-stakes encounter, with no room for error. The group stage matches conclude on June 26th, paving the way for the Round of 16 to commence on June 29th.

The quarter-finals are set to begin on July 5th, followed by the semi-final clashes starting on July 9th. The climax of EURO 2024 will be the final match, scheduled for July 14th at the iconic Berlin Olympic Stadium, where the champion of Europe will be crowned.