By John Freeman, Football Correspondent
The UEFA European Championship returns in 2024, bringing together Europe’s top national teams for a month of elite competition. Here’s everything fans need to know about the tournament.
1. Tournament Timeline
- Qualifiers: March 2023 – November 21, 2023
- Opening match: Kazakhstan vs Slovenia (March 23)
- Final qualifier: Wales vs Turkey (November 21)
- Main Tournament: June 14 – July 14, 2024
- Opening match: Germany vs TBD (Munich)
- Final: July 14 at Berlin’s Olympiastadion
2. Qualified Teams & Group Standings
As of [Current Date], the qualification picture includes:
| Group | Leading Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Scotland, Spain |
| B | France, Netherlands |
| C | England, Italy |
| D | Croatia, Turkey |
| … | … |
Host nation Germany qualifies automatically
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3. Tournament Format
- Group Stage: June 14-26 (10 groups)
- Knockout Phase:
- Round of 16: June 29-July 2
- Quarterfinals: July 5-6
- Semifinals: July 9-10
- Final: July 14
4. Historic Context
- Defending champions: Italy (2020)
- Most titles: Germany/Spain (3 each)
- Notable absences: Russia (suspended)
5. Global Football Calendar 2024
Football fans can also look forward to:
- Copa América (CONMEBOL): June 20-July 14
- OFC Nations Cup (Oceania): Date TBA
6. Venue Spotlight
10 German cities will host matches, including:
- Munich Football Arena (Opening match)
- Signal Iduna Park (Dortmund)
- Olympiastadion Berlin (Final)
