The draw for Euro 2024 will take place in the port city of Hamburg on Saturday. The Elbe Philharmonic Hall, which overlooks the river that runs through Germany’s second-largest city, will be the venue for the draw, a little over six months before the tournament starts. France, England, and other leading contenders will learn the path to potential continental glory next summer. Saturday’s event marks the real countdown to the European Championship for the 20 nations who have qualified alongside hosts Germany.
Last year’s beaten World Cup finalists France and an England side that has never been continental champions are in the first pot of seeds along with Portugal, Spain, Belgium, and the hosts. Recent performances and the talent available to their coaches make France and England stand out among the favorites. England will carry the pressure to go one better than at the last Euro in 2021, when they lost the final to Italy at Wembley.
Germany, on the other hand, are in crisis on the field, having lost six of 11 games played since a second consecutive exit from the World Cup in the group stage last year. Italy, who are reigning champions and are in pot four, will also be a team to watch out for in the competition. Germany will play in the tournament’s opening game in Munich on June 14, while Berlin’s 70,000-capacity Olympiastadion will host the final a month later.