Euro 2024 Qualifiers state of play: Scotland made to wait to book place

The road to Germany and Euro 2024 continued in September. Here’s the state of play of the latest set of matches…

Who qualifies for Euro 2024?

Two teams – the group winners and runners-up – will qualify automatically from each of the 10 groups.

Three teams will then qualify via the play-offs, which will be contested by twelve teams selected on the basis of their performance in the most recent Nations League.

Germany, as hosts, are the only country currently certain to be one of the 24 nations in action at next summer’s tournament.

The Euro 2024 qualifying groups

Group A: Spain, Scotland, Norway, Georgia, Cyprus.

Group B: Netherlands, France, Republic of Ireland, Greece, Gibraltar.

Group C: Italy, England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, Malta.

Group D: Croatia, Wales, Armenia, Turkey, Latvia.

Group E: Poland, Czech Republic, Albania, Faroe Islands, Moldova.

Group F: Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Estonia.

Group G: Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Lithuania.

Group H: Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, San Marino.

Group I: Switzerland, Israel, Romania, Kosovo, Belarus, Andorra.

Group J: Portugal, Bosnia, Iceland, Luxembourg, Slovakia, Liechtenstein.

State of play

Group A

Scotland were made to wait to book their spot at Euro 2024 thanks to Norway’s win over Georgia.

The Scots’ 3-0 win over Cyprus meant a draw between Norway and Georgia would have guaranteed Steve Clarke’s side a top-two finish and qualification, but the hosts won 2-1 in Oslo.

Scotland will have to beat Spain in Seville to confirm a Euro 2024 spot in the next round of fixtures, but a draw should be enough given their vastly superior goal difference over Norway and Georgia.

The Scots will make it through no matter what should Norway fail to beat Cyprus, who are bottom of the group with zero points.

After the Spain fixture, Scotland’s final qualifiers are away to Georgia on November 16 and at home to Norway three days later.

Group B

The Republic of Ireland‘s qualification hopes from Group B are all but over after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

Defeat for the Irish leaves them having lost four of their five qualifiers and with little chance of qualifying for next year’s finals in Germany, and with the future of coach Stephen Kenny in doubt.

Greece are level on points with the Netherlands after thrashing Gibraltar 5-0 on the same night.

Were the Netherlands to beat France when the two teams meet on October 13, then France’s lead of the group will be trimmed to just three points having played a game more.

Group C

England’s draw with Ukraine ended their 100 per cent record in Group C and means the Three Lions have to wait a few weeks to guarantee qualification for Euro 2024.

But progression to next summer’s tournament would already appear a formality for Gareth Southgate’s men since beating Italy on the opening night and they remain six points ahead of the three teams competing with them – Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia.

The Three Lions will definitely secure a spot at Euro 2024 if Ukraine and North Macedonia draw on October 14, and England beat Italy at Wembley three days later.

But England know they will be all but home and dry should they beat the Italians anyway, given Italy, Ukraine and North Macedonia all have to play each other again – meaning it is improbable that two of the chasing pack will be able to catch up with them.

Group D

Wales‘ shock 4-2 home loss by Armenia in June had dented their qualification hopes, having drawn in Croatia and beaten Latvia in March.

They then lost 2-0 away in Turkey but a 2-0 win in Latvia, added to Croatia’s win in Armenia, has opened Group D up. Wales have to play Croatia (h), Armenia (a) and Turkey (h) across their final three games so it’s all to play for.

As it stands, just three points cover the top four teams – Croatia, Turkey, Armenia and Wales – at the summit of the group.

Group E

A thrilling four-horse race. Albania moved top of Group E after beating Poland 2-0 on Sunday. Moldova overcame the Faroe Islands to keep themselves firmly in the equation, while the Czech Republic in second have a game in hand on their rivals.

Group F

Belgium and Austria put themselves one win away from qualifying for Euro 2024 after both teams put Estonia and Sweden to the sword on Tuesday.

The two European sides in the top two places now face each other on October 13. Whoever wins will reach the finals in Germany. Sweden will be hoping for a draw to maximise their chances – but defeat to Austria last time out has dented their chances.

Group G

Serbia moved level on points with Hungary after Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a first-half hat-trick to defeat Lithuania 3-1. Montenegro defeated Bulgaria to cement their position in second, with Hungary the only unbeaten side at the summit with a game in hand.

Group H

Michael O’Neill’s Northern Ireland side slumped to a fifth straight defeat on Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 by Kazakhstan in Astana, having already seen any remaining hope of qualifying for next summer’s finals in Germany effectively killed off by Thursday’s 4-2 loss in Slovenia.

Table-toppers Slovenia defeated San Marino to respond to Denmark’s fine 1-0 win in Finland on Sunday. It means just one point separates the top four.

Group I

There is greater clarity to Group I with Switzerland leading Romania by two points as the only remaining nations unbeaten. The Swiss were held by Kosovo while Israel were unable to leapfrog Romania on Saturday following their 1-1 draw in Bucharest.

Group J

Portugal are virtually assured of a place at Euro 2024 after taking maximum points so far without conceding a goal.

What are the key Euro 2024 dates?

The first round of qualifiers took place between March 23-25 2023, while the final matches are on November 19-21 2023.

What about the play-offs?

Each country that won their Nations League group makes it automatically into the play-offs, unless they progress to the tournament itself by finishing in the top two of their qualifying group.

In that situation, the next best nation in the respective league will take their play-off place, with this decided by the following criteria: position in the group, points and goal difference.

The draw for the play-offs takes place in November 2023, with the play-off semi-finals and finals being played between March 21 and 26, 2024.

When is the tournament?

The final tournament draw will take place in December 2023 at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg.

The teams will be seeded in accordance with the overall European Qualifiers rankings. Germany will be automatically seeded into pot 1 as hosts, and placed in position A1.

The three play-off winners will not be known at the time of the draw but will be placed into pot 4 for the draw.

The opening game of Euro 2024 is June 14 with the final taking place on July 14 at the Olympiastadion, Berlin.

Who are the Euro 2024 hosts?

Germany, the team of the Euro 2024 host association, qualify automatically for the final tournament and therefore did not take part in the qualifying draw.