- Italy, the defending champions, will face Spain, Croatia, and Albania in Group B in the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament
- The draw also places France in Group D against Netherlands, Austria, and the winners of Playoff A (Poland, Wales, Finland, Estonia)
The anticipation for Euro 2024 is building as the draw reveals thrilling matchups, placing defending champions Italy in Group B. Italy will square off against two-time champions Spain, who clinched victory in 2008 and 2012. Joining them in the group are back-to-back World Cup semi-finalists Croatia and Albania.
In Group D, 2022 World Cup runners-up France are poised to face Netherlands, Austria, and the winners of Playoff A (Poland, Wales, Finland, Estonia). Meanwhile, England, on the quest for their first major title since 1966, finds themselves in Group C, accompanied by Denmark, Slovenia, and Serbia.
Hosts Germany, drawn from Pot 1 into Group A, will kick off the tournament against Scotland. The group stage will also see Germany facing Hungary and Switzerland. The draw, unveiled on Saturday night, featured 21 teams that have secured their spots in the tournament, with three more slots to be determined through a playoff tournament in March.
UEFA announced the prize money for Euro 2024 earlier in the day, with the winner set to receive an additional payout of €8 million ($8.70m) on top of their participation fee of €9.25m. Teams will also earn a match bonus of €1 million for wins and €500,000 for draws. Additional rewards await teams advancing to the Round of 16, quarterfinals, and semifinals.
“The amount for distribution to the participating teams is confirmed at the same level as for … Euro 2020, i.e. a total of €331m,” stated UEFA. “The maximum amount that the champion team may achieve, if they will have won all three of their group matches, is €28.25m.”
As the Euro 2024 excitement builds, fans eagerly anticipate the clashes between football powerhouses and the unfolding drama that the tournament promises to bring.
See Complete Euro 2024 Draw:
GROUP A: Germany (hosts), Scotland, Hungary, Switzerland.
GROUP B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania.
GROUP C: Slovenia, Denmark, Serbia, England.
GROUP D: Play-off winner A, (Poland/Wales/Finland/Estonia), Netherlands, Austria, France.
GROUP E: Belgium, Slovakia, Romania, Play-off winner B (Israel/Bosnia/Ukraine/Iceland).
GROUP F: Turkey, Play-off winner C (Georgia/Greece/Kazakhstan/Luxembourg), Portugal, Czech Republic.