What are England’s best and worst case scenarios in the Euro 2024 draw?

2023-12-02 10:59

England have ensured a high seeding for next summer’s Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate’s side topped qualifying Group C unbeaten, securing a tally of 20 points to finish as one of the five best group winners. That ensured that they are in Pot 1 for the draw alongside Germany, Portugal, France, Spain and Belgium. It means that the Euro 2020 runners-up will not face any of those five sides in the group stages. That makes England’s path to knock-out stage qualification easier, though there are still plenty of strong sides in the other three pots. With three play-off qualifiers still to be confirmed, the pots look like this: Pot 1: Germany (hosts), Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, England Pot 2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria Pot 3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic Pot 4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Play-off winner A, Play-off winner B, Play-off winner C So what is the toughest possible draw for England? While the pots are based on qualifying form, and thus a useful gauge of team quality, we will go by Fifa’s world rankings to determine the best and worst case scenarios for Southgate and his side. The toughest possible draw for England (current world ranking 3rd) would be: Denmark (19th), Netherlands (6th), Italy (9th). The simplest draw, meanwhile, would comprise of: Albania (62nd), Slovenia (54th), Kazakhstan* (100th). *Kazakhstan are part of qualifying play-off Path C When is Euro 2024? The 17th edition of the men’s Euros will be held in Germany between 14 June and 14 July. Which cities are hosting fixtures? Berlin Munich Hamburg Dusseldorf Frankfurt Cologne Stuttgart Gelsenkirchen Leipzig Dortmund Read More What time is the Euro 2024 draw and what are the pots? Euro 2024 draw: Top seeds England could face Scotland and Wales What are Scotland’s best and worst scenarios in the Euro 2024 draw? Euro 2024: The cheapest ways to follow England and Scotland in Germany next summer Why winless Iceland are in Euro 2024 play-offs and 10-point Norway are not Wales to host Finland in Euro 2024 semi-final play-off

What are England’s best and worst case scenarios in the Euro 2024 draw?

England have ensured a high seeding for next summer’s Euro 2024.

Gareth Southgate’s side topped qualifying Group C unbeaten, securing a tally of 20 points to finish as one of the five best group winners.

That ensured that they are in Pot 1 for the draw alongside Germany, Portugal, France, Spain and Belgium.

It means that the Euro 2020 runners-up will not face any of those five sides in the group stages.

That makes England’s path to knock-out stage qualification easier, though there are still plenty of strong sides in the other three pots.

With three play-off qualifiers still to be confirmed, the pots look like this:

Pot 1: Germany (hosts), Portugal, France, Spain, Belgium, England

Pot 2: Hungary, Turkey, Romania, Denmark, Albania, Austria

Pot 3: Netherlands, Scotland, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Czech Republic

Pot 4: Italy, Serbia, Switzerland, Play-off winner A, Play-off winner B, Play-off winner C

So what is the toughest possible draw for England?

While the pots are based on qualifying form, and thus a useful gauge of team quality, we will go by Fifa’s world rankings to determine the best and worst case scenarios for Southgate and his side.

The toughest possible draw for England (current world ranking 3rd) would be: Denmark (19th), Netherlands (6th), Italy (9th).

The simplest draw, meanwhile, would comprise of: Albania (62nd), Slovenia (54th), Kazakhstan* (100th).

*Kazakhstan are part of qualifying play-off Path C

When is Euro 2024?

The 17th edition of the men’s Euros will be held in Germany between 14 June and 14 July.

Which cities are hosting fixtures?

Berlin

Munich

Hamburg

Dusseldorf

Frankfurt

Cologne