Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw: Everything You Need to Know
The Euro 2024 Group Stage Draw took place on December 2nd, 2023, at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, one of the tournament’s host cities. The draw ceremony, which commenced at 6 PM CET, determined the composition of the six groups for the upcoming European Championship.
The 24 qualified teams were divided into four pots based on their performance in the qualifying rounds. Pot 1 contained the top-seeded teams, including host nation Germany, who were automatically assigned to Group A. Pots 2, 3, and 4 housed the remaining qualified teams in descending order of their qualifying rankings. The three remaining spots were reserved for the play-off winners, designated to Pot 4.
Germany, as the host nation, automatically qualified for Euro 2024 and was placed in Group A. Twenty other teams secured their spots by finishing in the top two positions of their respective qualifying groups. These teams included powerhouses like Spain, England, France, and Italy.
The draw procedure involved assigning each team to a specific group and position within that group. Six pots, labeled A through F, represented the groups, while numbered balls within each pot determined the team’s position in the group (e.g., A1, B2, C3). Germany was pre-assigned to position A1 in Group A. The draw resulted in some intriguing matchups, setting the stage for a thrilling tournament. Groups featuring multiple top teams promise exciting clashes from the outset.
The final three berths in the tournament will be decided through play-offs scheduled for March 2024. Twelve teams, selected based on their 2022/23 Nations League performance, will compete in these play-offs. Six semi-final matches on March 21st will determine the finalists who will battle for the remaining three spots on March 26th. These crucial matches will complete the Euro 2024 lineup.
The Euro 2024 group stage draw was broadcasted live on various platforms, including UEFA.com and the official UEFA EURO 2024 app, ensuring global access for fans eager to witness the unfolding of the tournament’s structure. Fans worldwide tuned in to watch the draw unfold and speculate on the potential paths to victory for their favorite teams. The tournament will follow the same format as Euro 2020, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage. From there, the competition will proceed through the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, culminating in the final match to crown the European champion.