The European Championship qualifying round is nearly coming to an end, with more fixtures scheduled to take place this week.
England will be looking to secure their place in Germany next year, while Scotland are guaranteed a place at Euro 2024.
With next summer’s qualifiers due to wrap up next month, several teams will be desperate for an automatic qualification spot, while play-offs for the tournament will be held in March.
Some major news in the footballing news recent broke, with Euro 2028 and Euro 2032 were recently announced by UEFA. The UK and Ireland will be responsible for putting on the showpiece event in five years, while Italy and Turkey were awarded hosting rights for the edition in nine years time.
Mail Sport takes a look at who needs what to secure their place in Germany over the coming days.
England will be looking to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany when they face Italy
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Group A: Scotland, Spain, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus
Scotland qualified for the tournament with two games to spare following Spain’s win over Norway.
It has quite frankly been an amazing year for Scotland with Steve Clarke’s side having won five of their six games in qualifying so far.
They currently sit second in Group A and are level on points with Spain.
Clarke’s side will be joined in the finals by Spain after their 1-0 win over Norway. Despite losing to the Tartan Army early on in the qualifiers, La Roja have bounced back in some style and currently top the group on goal difference.
Norway, who haven’t qualified for the European Championships since 2000, can only potentially qualify through play-offs – but need to remain third and hope Serbia qualify from Group G to be eligible.
Scotland booked their place in Germany after Spain defeated Norway last night
Group B – France, Netherlands, Greece, Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar
Kylian Mbappe scored twice against the Netherlands as France qualify for next summer’s European Championships with two matches to spare.
Didier Deschamps’ side possess a 100 per cent record in qualifying and have impressed many this year.
A mouthwatering showdown will take place tonight between the Netherlands and Greece. Ronald Koeman’s side are currently three points behind tonight’s opponents following their defeat to the French.
The Netherlands do have a game in hand, however, they will be unable to finish in the top two (and will go into the play-offs) if they lose to Greece by four or more goals.
France qualified for the tournament with two matches to spare after their win against the Netherlands
Meanwhile, things aren’t looking good for the Boys in Green who have won just once in qualifying.
They are out of contention following their defeat to Greece on Friday.
GROUP C – England, Italy, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta
Despite the criticism Gareth Southgate has faced, England are set to reach their eighth successive major tournament.
With four wins out of five and a six point gap to second place Italy, they will go through if they win or draw tomorrow night.
However, if that doesn’t go to plan, they will have another chance to secure their place at next summer’s tournament by beating Malta next month, before their final game of the group sees them travel to North Macedonia.
Italy look favourites to join the Three Lions next year. The Azzuri currently sit second in Group C – level on points with Ukraine.
Italy and Ukraine cannot qualify or be eliminated from top-two contention on Matchday 8.
North Macedonia will be unable to finish in the top two if Ukraine beat Malta tomorrow and Italy do not win.
England will secure their place at Euro 2024 if they defeat Italy at Wembley on Tuesday night
GROUP D – Croatia, Turkey, Armenia, Wales, Latvia
Group D is perhaps the most competitive group left, with three teams all fighting for qualification.
Turkey have qualified for the tournament and currently sit top of the group on 16 points.
After Wales’ dramatic win against Croatia last night, Rob Page’s side are now second in the table and will qualify for Euro 2024 if they beat Armenia and Croatia lose to Latvia next month.
Nothing can be decided during this gameweek. Next month, if Croatia lose to Latvia and Wales beat Armenia.
Wales will certainly be full of confidence following their dramatic win over Croatia
GROUP E – Albania, Czech Republic, Moldova, Poland, Faroe Islands
Like Group D, four teams remain tightly squeezed together in the race for qualification and there are a couple of unfamiliar names in there.
For example, Albania currently sit top with 13 points from six games having previously only reached one Euros in their history, back in 2016.
Meanwhile, Moldova have never qualified for a major tournament, but are currently two points behind Czech Republic and one behind Poland.
With the competitiveness of the group, nothing will be decided this week and qualification will go down to the final round of fixtures.
Due to the competitiveness of the group, nothing can be decided this week
GROUP F – Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia
Following their win over Austria last Friday, Belgium have secured their place in Germany next year.
Sweden must win all three of their remaining matches but even if they do, Austria just need one more victory to qualify.
Given Sweden travel to Belgium tonight, it’s pretty safe to say the Red Devils and Austria will be in Germany next summer.
Austria will qualify if they beat Azerbaijan, or if they avoid defeat by three goals or more and Sweden fail to beat Belgium.
Austria are on the brink of securing their place in Germany next year and are currently seven points clear of Sweden
GROUP G – Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania
While Lithuania are not 100 per cent out, it seems a tough ask. They must beat Hungary and hope Serbia lose to Montenegro to stay in contention to finish in the top two.
Following their recent defeat to Lithuania, Bulgaria can no longer finish in the top two.
Hungary can book their place at Euro 2024 should they beat Lithuania tomorrow. They currently sit top of Group G – three points clear of Serbia.
Serbia and Montenegro cannot qualify or be eliminated on Matchday 8.
If Serbia beat Montenegro on Tuesday, they won’t qualify but will almost certainly be at the tournament next summer.
Hungary could secure qualification if they beat Lithuania tomorrow evening
GROUP H – Slovenia, Denmark, Finland, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino
There are several qualifying groups with plenty still to play for and Group H is most certainly one of them.
Slovenia and Denmark are currently level on points with 16 points, while Finland and Kazakhstan are also level on points with 12.
Denmark will qualify for the tournament if they beat San Marino, Slovenia avoid defeat against Northern Ireland and Kazakhstan draw.
Finland will be unable to finish in the top two if they lose to Kazakhstan and both Denmark and Slovenia win.
Despite the homecoming of Michael O’Neill last year, they have two wins from seven qualifying games.
Denmark can qualify for Euro 2024 if they beat San Marino and Slovenia avoid defeat against Northern Ireland and Kazakhstan draw.
GROUP I – Switzerland, Romania, Israel, Belarus, Kosovo, Andorra
Switzerland currently sit top of Group I and are one point clear of Switzerland following the latter’s draw with Belarus.
However, given Israel’s proposed matches against Switzerland and Kosovo have been postponed amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, nothing can be decided during the current round of fixtures.
GROUP J – Portugal, Slovakia, Luxembourg, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein
It has been a stellar effort from Luxembourg, world no 85, to still be in with a chance of qualification for the Euros at this stage given the teams they are competing against.
They remain just two points behind Slovakia with three games to go, while Portugal are 10 clear of the minnows.
Portugal have qualified for the Euros after Cristiano Ronaldo inspired the side to a 3-2 win over Slovakia.
Bosnia and Herzegovina will be unable to finish in the top two, and will go into the play-offs, should they lose to Portugal and Slovakia secure all three points against Luxembourg.
If Iceland lose to Liechtenstein, they will then be unable to finish in the top two.
Cristiano Ronaldo inspire Portugal to qualification following their win over Slovakia
